Ex Libris (for Paulo Herkenhoff)

Cat. No. 531/III

Ex Libris (for Paulo Herkenhoff)

State/Variant:
State III of III
Date:
2002
Themes
Objects, Words
Techniques
Drypoint, Engraving
Support:
Smooth, wove paper
Dimensions:
plate: 5 1/8 x 4 1/8" (13 x 10.4 cm); sheet: 6 1/8 x 5 1/8" (15.5 x 13 cm)
Signature:
"LB" lower right comp., in plate.
Publisher
Harlan & Weaver
Printer
Harlan & Weaver
Edition:
105; plus 1 B.A.T. and 1 for MoMA
Edition Information:
With the exception of this print for MoMA, the prints in the edition of 105, plus 1 B.A.T. were trimmed inside the plate mark and do not have margins. Those without margins measure at 5 1/8 x 4 1/8" (13 x 10.4 cm).
Impression:
Not numbered
Background:
"Ex libris" is Latin for "from the books." The phrase is commonly found on bookplates, the decorative labels affixed to the front or back cover of books to indicate ownership. The text, "Si, tenté du demon tu dérobes ce livre, saches que tout frippon est indigne de vivre" is also known from bookplates, and can be translated as "If, tempted by the devil you steal this book, know that any rogue is unworthy of living."

Bourgeois made this print as a bookplate for Paulo Herkenhoff, the Brazilian curator and critic with whom she had a longstanding friendship and professional relationship with the artist.

The bookplate depicts "Janus," a 1968 hanging sculpture the artist made in both bronze and porcelain (see bronze in Related Works in Other Mediums below). "Janus" is one of five different sculptures by the artist named after the Roman divinity. While Herkenhoff was adjunct curator in the Department of Painting and Sculpture at MoMA, he included "Janus Fleuri" in the 2002 exhibition "Tempo," and wrote about the "Janus" works in the exhibition catalogue.
Curatorial Remarks:
Bourgeois developed the earlier states of this composition on a plate that was eventually trimmed down for the edition.
Description:
Drypoint and engraving
State Changes and Additions:
Changes from state II, in drypoint: object further articulated; signature added in right lower composition.
Changes from state II, in engraving: some letters and words reinforced.
MoMA Credit Line:
Gift of the artist
MoMA Accession Number:
324.2002
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY

Ex Libris (for Paulo Herkenhoff)

2001-2002

States
Ex Libris (for Paulo Herkenhoff)
Ex Libris (for Paulo Herkenhoff)
Ex Libris (for Paulo Herkenhoff)

Related Works in the Catalogue

Untitled, bookplate from the illustrated book, Recueil des Secrets de Louyse Bourgeois, deluxe edition
The Laws of Nature
Bébé Joufflu

Related Works in Other Mediums

Janus Fleuri
Installation of Janus in Leather Jacket, Janus, Hanging Janus with Jacket, and Janus Fleuri
Janus