Untitled, plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, Ode à Ma Mère

Cat. No. 6a/II

Untitled, plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, Ode à Ma Mère

State/Variant:
State II of III
Date:
1995
Themes
Spiders
Techniques
Drypoint
Support:
Slightly textured, laid Dieu Donné paper
Dimensions:
plate: 8 9/16 x 6 1/4" (21.7 x 15.9 cm); sheet: 11 x 8 1/16" (28 x 20.5 cm)
Signature:
Not signed
Publisher
unpublished
Printer
Louise Bourgeois
Edition:
1 known impression of state II
Edition Information:
Proof before the editioning of state III.
Impression:
Not numbered
Background:
This project was conceived for Les Éditions du Solstice, a Parisian illustrated book society, under the direction of Jean-Claude Meyer. Bourgeois also contributed a frontispiece, “Spiraling Eyes,” to another of their publications: "Les Éditions du Solstice: Annuaire de la Décennie, 1989-1999," a volume documenting the activities of the society. Les Éditions du Solstice was founded under French law in 1901 to promote book collecting, and it publishes a limited edition, illustrated literary work every year or so. The maximum edition is 120 and copies are distributed to members. Other examples of their literary works include "La Nouvelle chute de l’Amérique" by Allen Ginsberg, with illustrations by Roy Lichtenstein, and "Sans Titre" by Hans Magnus Enzensberger, with illustrations by Markus Lüpertz.

Harlan & Weaver gave this blue paper, handmade by Dieu Donné, to Bourgeois in the mid-1990s as a gift. The color matches that of Bourgeois's favorite stationery at that time. Some sheets, but not including this one, feature a custom watermark designed after a wax stamp of Bourgeois's initials.
Descriptive Title:
English translation: "Ode to My Mother"
Description:
Drypoint
State Changes and Additions:
Changes from state I in drypoint: legs slightly reinforced.
Author Information:
Jean-Claude Meyer, of Les Éditions du Solstice, suggested that the project be a collaboration between Bourgeois and a writer. Bourgeois preferred to provide her own text written specifically for this project.
MoMA Credit Line:
Gift of the artist
MoMA Accession Number:
623.1996
This Work in Other Collections:
Cleveland Museum of Art, OH
Kunstmuseum Bern, Switzerland
Maier Museum of Art, Randolph College, VA
Tate Modern, London
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY

Untitled, plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, Ode à Ma Mère

1995

Source

1994

Spider
States
Untitled, plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, Ode à Ma Mère
Untitled, plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, Ode à Ma Mère
Untitled, plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, Ode à Ma Mère
Untitled, plate 3 of 9, from the illustrated book, Ode à Ma Mère
Untitled, plate 3 of 9, from the portfolio, Ode à ma mère

Portfolio

1995

Ode à Ma Mère

Illustrated Book

1995

Ode à Ma Mère

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