Hold My Bones

Cat. No. 1212.2/III

Hold My Bones

State/Variant:
Version 2 of 2, state III of V
Date:
2001-2002
Themes
Body Parts
Techniques
Drypoint
Support:
Smooth, wove paper
Dimensions:
plate: 3 9/16 x 4 1/2" (9 x 11.5 cm); sheet: 7 1/16 x 7 1/16" (18 x 18 cm)
Signature:
"LB" right lower margin, red ink.
Publisher
unpublished
Printer
Harlan & Weaver
Edition:
1 known impression of version 2, state III
Edition Information:
Not issued as a published edition at any state.
Impression:
Not numbered
Curatorial Remarks:
Nigel Finch (1949-1995) was a British filmmaker. In 1994, he directed a documentary about the artist titled "Louise Bourgeois: No Trespassing."
Description:
Drypoint, with red ink and red pencil additions
Inscription:
Verso: "joy fear / sorrow anger- / 4 humors:: / bases of / psychology / Cardinal OR natural virtues / justice prudence [illeg.] / theological virtues fortitude / faith hope charity / Sins: laziness gourmandise / mensonge, jealousie medisance / envie" center sheet (upside down), pencil, artist's hand.
State Changes and Additions:
Changes from version 1, in drypoint: composition transferred to smaller plate.
Changes from version 2, state I, by burnishing: contour lines within shape partially removed; left end of shape removed.
Changes from version 2, state I, in drypoint: toes added to left end; right end further developed.
Addition in red pencil: line added to upper comp. to close rectangle, anticipating state IV.
Addition in red ink: big toe added, anticipating state IV.
Artist’s Remarks:
Inscribed on the source drawing: "Treaser Trove" (sic) upper right sheet, black ink, artist's hand; "I hold [obscured]" lower right sheet, pencil, artist's hand; "Hold my bones / together" lower right sheet, pencil, artist's hand.

About the source drawing, 1994: "This is my favorite drawing of all. It is a call for help. It means, 'Keep me together, do not abandon me, hold my bones together.' Speaking of the toi and moi! It should be called 'Friendship, The Value of Friendship.' I made this for Nigel Finch, the filmmaker. He just passed away." (Quote cited in Bourgeois, Louise and Lawrence Rinder. "Louise Bourgeois Drawings and Observations." Berkeley: University Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive University of California, Berkeley; Boston: Bulfinch Press, 1995, p. 175.)
MoMA Credit Line:
Gift of the artist
MoMA Accession Number:
1494.2008
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY

Hold My Bones

2000-2002

Source

1994

Hold My Bones
First Version
Hold My Bones
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Second Version
Hold My Bones
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Hold My Bones

Related Works in the Catalogue

Henriette
Untitled
Untitled, no. 10 of 12, from the illustrated book, The Trauma of Abandonment
Henriette

Related Works in Other Mediums

Hip Rotary Articulation / Knee
Introducing the Reflected Image: Mirror Inside
Three Hinges Set
#2 Horizontal Opening Vertical Hinge
Vertical Articulation #1
Untitled
Henriette
Untitled (Hold My Bones)
Untitled (Hold My Bones)
Hold My Bones Together
Hold My Bones
Untitled
Untitled
Hold My Bones Together
Femur