Cat. No. 730/II
merci. mercy.
- State/Variant:
- State II of III
- Date:
- 1992
- Themes
- Words
- Techniques
- Drypoint
- Support:
- Smooth, wove paper
- Dimensions:
- plate: 17 3/4 x 27 3/8" (45.1 x 69.6 cm); sheet: 20 7/8 × 29 15/16" (53 × 76 cm)
- Signature:
- "Louise Bourgeois" lower right margin, pencil.
- Publisher
- unpublished
- Printer
- Harlan & Weaver
- Edition:
- 1 known impression of state II
- Edition Information:
- Proof before the editioning of state III.
- Impression:
- Not numbered
- Background:
- State III of this composition was published as a benefit for Documenta IX, 1992.
Bourgeois created this plate by hammering a nail through thin roofing copper.
The artist employed a similar technique in the print compositions “Tornado,” 1991-1992, and “We Love You,” 1992, seen in Related Works in the Catalogue below. - Former Cat. No.:
- W & S 123
- Description:
- Drypoint, with puncture hole additions
- Inscription:
- "hors tirage" lower left margin, pencil, artist's hand.
- State Changes and Additions:
- Changes from state I, by burnishing and grinding: hammered indentations made more shallow; surface marks and scratches lightened overall.
Changes from state I, in drypoint: letters widened by second row of hammered indentations.
Additions by puncture: holes through sheet added in many indentations, throughout several letters. - Artist’s Remarks:
- "I want much more than thank you... I want forgiveness... I ask for mercy. Who is at fault? Who is the culprit? Is it you, or is it me? I would rather make it my trouble... then I could take care of it... I could become active instead of passive." (Quote cited in Wye, Deborah and Carol Smith. “The Prints of Louise Bourgeois.” New York: The Museum of Modern Art, 1994, p. 209.)
- MoMA Credit Line:
- Gift of the artist
- MoMA Accession Number:
- 634.1993
- This Work in Other Collections:
- National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC
State II of III
1992
merci. mercy.
1992
Source
1992
Merci Mercy
1992
Merci Mercy
1992
Medium: Ink and pencil on paper
Dimensions: sheet: 7 1/4 × 10 7/16" (18.4 × 26.5 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
State I of III
1992
<i>merci. mercy.</i>
1992
State I of III, variant
1992
<i>merci. mercy.</i>
1992
State II of III
1992
<i>merci. mercy.</i>
1992
State III of III
1992
<i>merci. mercy.</i>
1992
Related Works in the Catalogue
Tornado
Version 2 of 2, only state
1991-1992
<i>Tornado</i>
1991-1992
Merci Crime
Version 1 of 2, only state, variant
1994
<i>Merci Crime</i>
1994
We Love You
Version 1 of 2, only state
1992
<i>We Love You</i>
1992
Related Works in Other Mediums
Precious Liquids
1992
Precious Liquids
1992
Medium: Wood, metal, glass, alabaster, rubber, cloth, and water
Dimensions: overall: 167 1/2 x 175 1/4 x 175 1/4" (425.5 x 445.1 x 445.1 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Mercy
1996
Mercy
1996
Medium: Pencil, colored pencil, and charcoal on paper
Dimensions: sheet: 9 × 12" (22.9 × 30.5 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Merci Mercy
1999
Merci Mercy
1999
Medium: Lead and steel
Dimensions: overall: 10 1/4 × 8 1/4 × 1/2" (26 × 21 × 1.3 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Precious Liquids (detail)
1992
Precious Liquids (detail)
1992
Medium: Wood, metal, glass, alabaster, rubber, cloth, and water
Dimensions: overall: 167 1/2 x 175 1/4 x 175 1/4" (425.5 x 445.1 x 445.1 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY