Self Portrait

Cat. No. 324.2/VIII, variant

Self Portrait

State/Variant:
Version 2 of 3, state VIII of VIII, variant
Date:
2006
Themes
Animals & Insects, Faces & Portaits
Techniques
Drypoint, Engraving
Support:
Smooth, wove handmade paper
Dimensions:
plate: 3 15/16 x 5 7/8" (10 x 14.9 cm); sheet: 9 x 9 1/2" (22.9 x 24.1 cm)
Signature:
"Louise Bourgeois" right lower margin, pencil.
Publisher
unpublished
Printer
Harlan & Weaver
Edition:
1 known variant impression of version 2, state VIII, outside the editions on paper and fabric
Impression:
Not numbered
Background:
Version 1, state I, of this print was published, untitled, by the American Art Award, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, and Coach, Inc., New York. The publishers commissioned the work on the occasion of the Whitney's 2006 American Art Award, which was sponsored by Coach. The Whitney commissions an artwork each year to serve as the award to individuals or organizations recognized for sustained commitment to American artistic and cultural heritage. The honoree in 2006, the year of Bourgeois's commission, was Terry J. Lundgren, CEO, Chairman of the Board, and President of Macy's, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio. Each of the editioned impressions, numbered I/IV-IV/IV, went to the Whitney Museum, the honoree, the sponsor, and the artist.

Bourgeois continued to work with the composition in second and third versions, titling the print "Self Portrait." In 2007, Harlan & Weaver, New York, published version 2, state VIII, in editions on paper and on fabric. Version 3 was not published.

Cats are a significant theme throughout Bourgeois's work. Bourgeois kept pet cats, named Champfleurette and Tyger, at her home in New York. While growing up in France, her family had pet cats and dogs, as well.
Curatorial Remarks:
The paper used for this impression was handmade by Gangolf Ulbricht, Berlin, for Bourgeois, and it features a custom watermark: "LB" enclosed in a rectangle.

This plate, used for version 2, has significant distress marks.

A pouch merchandise item was made from an image of version 2, state VIII of this composition.
Description:
Drypoint and engraving
Inscription:
"State VIII" lower left margin, pencil, artist's hand.
State Changes and Additions:
Changes from version 1: outline of composition rendered on a new plate, in drypoint; image size decreased.
Changes from version 2, state VII in engraving: horizontal line added across lower composition.
Artist’s Remarks:
"The five legged creature represents my family. I grew up in a family of five in France and also raised a family of five of my own in New York. My five legged animal is personal; it is a self portrait of my obligations. The idea of the family that stands together is very important to me." (Louise Bourgeois Studio Archive, Document Reference: LBQ-0001)
MoMA Credit Line:
Gift of the artist
MoMA Accession Number:
1533.2012
This Work in Other Collections:
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY

Self Portrait

2006-2007

Source

2006

Self Portrait
First Version
Untitled
Untitled
Untitled
Untitled
Untitled
Self Portrait
Self Portrait
Self Portrait
Self Portrait
Self Portrait
Self Portrait
Self Portrait
Second Version
Self Portrait
Self Portrait
Self Portrait
Self Portrait
Self Portrait
Self Portrait
Self Portrait
Self Portrait
Self Portrait
Self Portrait
Self Portrait
Self Portrait
Self Portrait
Self Portrait
Third Version
Self Portrait

Related Works in the Catalogue

Untitled, plate 1 of 5, from the illustrated book, Metamorfosis
Self Portrait
Self Portrait
Female from Male and Female

Related Works in Other Mediums

Self Portrait
Self Portrait
Self Portrait