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

Cat. No. 12a/II, variant

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

State/Variant:
State II of II, variant
Date:
1995
Themes
Spiders
Techniques
Drypoint
Support:
Smooth, wove paper
Dimensions:
composition: 3 15/16 x 9 3/4" (10 x 24.8 cm); sheet: 7 3/8 x 12 11/16" (18.8 x 32.2 cm)
Signature:
Not signed
Publisher
unpublished
Printer
Louise Bourgeois
Edition:
1 known variant impression of state II, outside the illustrated book and portfolio editions
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.
Descriptive Title:
English translation: "Ode to My Mother"
Description:
Drypoint
State Changes and Additions:
Changes from state I in drypoint: facial features reinforced and further articulated; body reinforced and shaded.
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:
635.1996
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 9 of 9, from the illustrated book, Ode à Ma Mère

1995

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

Portfolio

1995

Ode à Ma Mère

Illustrated Book

1995

Ode à Ma Mère

Related Works in the Catalogue

Untitled, no. 6 of 36, from the series, The Fragile