Three Sons, plate 14 of 24, from the series, Self Portrait

Cat. No. 469 (fabric)

Three Sons, plate 14 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:
There is 1 known variant impression of the only state, on paper, outside the edition.

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 in the fabrics used in this edition, including scorching or staining, 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.

Bourgeois's three sons are Michel, Jean-Louis, and Alain.
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:
110.2012.14
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY

Three Sons , plate 14 of 24, from the series, Self Portrait

2009

States
Three Sons, plate 14 of 24, only state, variant, from the series, Self Portrait
Three Sons, plate 14 of 24, from the series, Self Portrait

Series

2009

Self Portrait

Related Works in the Catalogue

Le Père en Balade avec les Trois Fils
Self Portrait
Barges
Le Père et les 3 Fils

Related Works in Other Mediums

Les 3 Fils de Robert