Cat. No. 590.1

Le Cauchemar de Hayter

State/Variant:: Version 1 of 2, only state
Date:: 1996

Themes: Abstraction
Techniques: Lithography
Support:: Smooth, wove paper
Dimensions:: composition: 19 15/16 x 15 5/16" (50.7 x 38.9 cm); sheet: 25 x 19 1/2" (63.5 x 49.5 cm)
Signature:: "Louise Bourgeois" lower right margin, pencil.
Publisher: Fundaçao Bienal de São Paulo
Printer: Derriere L'Etoile Studios
Edition:: 25; plus 5 A.P., 5 H.C., 4 P.P., 1 B.A.T.
Impression:: "AP 5/5" lower left margin, pencil, unknown hand.
Background:: The source for both versions of this composition is Untitled, no. 65 of 220, from the 1995 series, "The Insomnia Drawings." While the first version is a stand-alone print, the second version, "Crochet I," is part of the series "Crochet I-V."

"Le Cauchemar de Hayter" is one of four lithographs published in conjunction with Bourgeois's presentation at the XXIII International São Paulo Biennial, held from October 5 to December 15, 1996. Bourgeois's project was organized by Jens Olesen, then the International Vice President of the Fundação Bienal de São Paulo.

The three other lithographs published for the occasion are "Insomnia," "Insomnia," and "Mirror for Red Room," seen in Related Works in the Catalogue below. All four compositions are based on source drawings.

Maurice Sanchez, of Derriere L'Etoile Studios, New York, printed this composition in multiple colors on an offset lithography press to capture the artist's particular touch and produce the edition to the artist's satisfaction.

Stanley William Hayter founded the print workshop Atelier 17, which he relocated from Paris to New York during WWII. Bourgeois worked there intermittenly until 1949, enjoying the company of an array of international artists. Bourgeois found Hayter intimidating as he demonstrated engraving, but remembered feeling useful in the shop because she could facilitate communication with the artists who spoke only French. "Reply to Stanley Hayter," seen below in Related Works in Other Mediums, is another work that references the printmaker.
Descriptive Title:: English translation: "Hayter's Nightmare"
Description:: Lithograph
Benefit Work:: For Fundaçao Bienal de São Paulo, São Paulo
Artist’s Remarks:: Inscribed on the verso of the source drawing: "Le cauchemar de Hayter / fil conducteur / ligne tirée, ligne poussée" lower left to lower right sheet, red ink, artist's hand.

About the source drawing, 1995: "So this appears lately as a solution. It is a solution of continuity; that is to say, it is a symbol of something that is totally continuous and harmonious along the length of the day. With no up and no down and everything readable, clear. I want to be readable, you see." (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. 184.)
Other Remarks:: According to the artist's assistant, Jerry Gorovoy, Bourgeois was interested in creating new shapes and forms through the act of weaving, twisting, and knotting material. This interest is most evident in the fabric works and is also referenced and represented in various works on paper.
MoMA Credit Line:: Gift of the artist
MoMA Accession Number:: 559.2013
This Work in Other Collections:: The Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick