Les Arbres (1-6)

Cat. No. 250

Les Arbres (1-6)

Date:
2004
Themes
Nature
Techniques
Drypoint
Support:
Portfolio (1): smooth, wove paper
Portfolios (2-6): fabric; smooth, wove paper
Dimensions:
overall (each): 18 7/16 x 14 3/16 x 1" (46.9 x 36.1 x 2.5 cm)
Signature:
Each colophon: "Louise Bourgeois / 2004" lower middle sheet, pencil.
Publisher
Harlan & Weaver
Printer
Harlan & Weaver
Edition Information:
The editioned series of portfolios, "Les Arbres" (1-6), is not a traditional edition in that each portfolio is unique. Varying compositions, hand additions, and sheet sizes occur throughout the portfolios. Portfolio (1) includes 10 compositions, while Portfolios (2-6) each contain 8 compositions.

Included in all 6 portfolios are 5 specific drypoint compositions that appear in the same order. However, the states of these compositions, and their hand additions, vary from portfolio to portfolio.

Portfolio (1) is different from all the others in the series, not only because it includes 10 compositions, but also because 5 of the 10 compositions are drawings. The drypoints are the same 5 compositions noted above as being in every portfolio; the drawings are new compositions entirely.

Portfolios (2-6) each contain 3 drypoint compositions on fabric, in addition to the 5 drypoint compositions noted above. The drypoint compositions on fabric vary from portfolio to portfolio.
Impression:
Each colophon: "1/6" through "6/6" lower center sheet, pencil, artist's hand.
Curatorial Remarks:
In addition to Nature, some portfolios in this edition also include the themes Fabric Works and Figures.
Descriptive Title:
English translation: "The Trees"
Description:
Editioned series of 6 portfolios: 5 portfolios with 8 drypoints, and 1 portfolio with 5 drypoints and 5 drawings
Inscription:
Each title page: "Les Arbres" upper center sheet, pencil, artist's hand.
Colophons (2-6): "3 prints on cloth" lower middle sheet, pencil, artist's hand.
Housing:
Each portfolio was bound by Claudia Cohen Bookbinder, Seattle, WA, with a rough, wove, handmade Dutch paper cover, embossed “LB” on the first leaf, with 20 unnumbered pages sewn in of slightly textured, wove handmade Zecchi paper. The prints and drawings on paper are mounted to the portfolio pages with Gampi paper mounting corners. The prints on fabric are sewn to the pages. The bound portfolios are each housed in corrugated cardboard folders with a linen ribbon.

Each colophon was printed by Peter Kruty Editions, Brooklyn, NY.

Although the “Les Arbres” (1-6) portfolios are each bound in a book-like format, and both the publisher and the Louise Bourgeois Studio use the terms “portfolio” and “book” interchangeably for this project, it is standard practice in The Museum of Modern Art, NY, Department of Drawings and Prints to classify these works as portfolios due to the absence of any accompanying text.
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY

From the series

Les Arbres (1)
Les Arbres (2)
Les Arbres (3)
Les Arbres (4)
Les Arbres (5)
Les Arbres (6)

Related Works in the Catalogue

Topiary: The Art of Improving Nature
Nature Study
Homely Girl, A Life, volumes I and II