Cat. No. 461

Louise and Robert, plate 6 of 24, from the series, Self Portrait

State/Variant:: Only state
Date:: 2009
Series:: Self Portrait

Themes: Fabric Works, Faces & Portaits, Figures, Motherhood & Family
Techniques: Drypoint
Support:: Fabric
Dimensions:: plate: 4 15/16 x 3 3/8" (12.5 x 8.6 cm); sheet: 15 1/2 x 12 1/2" (39.4 x 31.8 cm)
Signature:: "LB" right lower margin, stitched in brown thread.
Publisher: Louise Bourgeois
Printer: Harlan & Weaver
Edition:: 5; plus 1 A.P.
Edition Information:: All 24 sheets that comprise set no. 1/5 are mounted on a single large table cloth and arranged in the formation of a clock. See the first work titled "Self Portrait" in Related Works in the Catalogue below. That composition includes, above the clock, at top left, one additional drypoint printed by Harlan & Weaver, New York, and at top middle and top right, two digital prints printed by Dyenamix, New York. Set nos. 2/5–5/5 and A.P. 1/1 do not include these three additional prints.

There are variations, including scorching or staining, in the fabrics used in this edition, as is commonly found in the old fabrics Bourgeois chose to use as printing surfaces.

Dimensions vary slightly throughout the edition because of hemming and stretching fluctuations.
Impression:: "No. 3/5" lower middle sheet verso, black ink, unknown hand.
Background:: This series depicts the story of Bourgeois’s life. Beginning with an image of a young girl, it progresses through marriage and having children, and finally, to predominant themes in the artist's work.

The "Robert" in this title is Robert Goldwater, who was Bourgeois's husband and an American art historian.
Curatorial Remarks:: There are no source drawings for this series, unlike for many of Bourgeois's prints.
Description:: Drypoint
Installation Remarks:: The 24 compositions that make up this series can be exhibited together or individually.
MoMA Credit Line:: Gift of the artist
MoMA Accession Number:: 110.2012.6