Map of the Western Hemisphere

Cat. No. 841/IV, variant 2

Map of the Western Hemisphere

State/Variant:
State IV of IV, variant
Date:
1999
Themes
Nature
Techniques
Drypoint, Etching
Support:
Smooth, wove paper
Dimensions:
plate: 11 7/8 × 8 15/16" (30.1 × 22.7 cm); sheet: 15 9/16 x 12 1/8" (39.6 x 30.8 cm)
Signature:
Not signed
Publisher
unpublished
Printer
Harlan & Weaver
Edition:
4 known impressions of state IV
Edition Information:
Not issued as a published edition at any state.

The additional known impression of this state is in MoMA's Collection (Accession Number: 669.2008). It is not illustrated due to its similarity to the other impression of state V, seen in the Evolving Composition Diagram below.
Impression:
Not numbered
Background:
According to Felix Harlan, of Harlan & Weaver, New York, Bourgeois's map compositions stem from her desire to sort through memories and associations with different places. The artist used preexisting maps as references for her own abstracted compositions, excluding the information essential to map reading. In this way, the maps served more as personal documents for the artist, rather than as references or guides.

This composition was begun in June 1995, while Bourgeois was thinking about an upcoming show in Brazil and began musing about the Tango. While affirming the Latin American origin of the dance, Bourgeois also felt it had some connection with Scandinavia. In pondering such associations, she had the idea to use the Tango as a symbolic link between the Americas and Europe, but the project remained unfinished.
Curatorial Remarks:
According to Felix Harlan of Harlan & Weaver, the pock marks visible in the state IV impressions were likely found in the plate before any composition was added, as Bourgeois occasionally chose to work with distressed plates. The fact that the pock marks are not visible in states I-III is likely the result of careful wiping on the part of the printers.
Description:
Drypoint and etching
State Changes and Additions:
Changes from state III: dash marks indicating several national boundary lines added.
MoMA Credit Line:
Gift of the artist
MoMA Accession Number:
1409.2008
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY

Map of the Western Hemisphere

1995-1999

Studies
Untitled (Study for Map of the Western Hemisphere)
States
Map of the Western Hemisphere
Map of the Western Hemisphere
Map of the Western Hemisphere
Map of the Western Hemisphere
Map of the Western Hemisphere
Map of the Western Hemisphere
Map of the Western Hemisphere

Related Works in the Catalogue

Water Divide
Map of Connecticut and Long Island
Normandy Landing
Mappemonde
Untitled

Related Works in Other Mediums

Topologie
Untitled