Cat. No. 404/II, variant 2

Champfleurette #2

State/Variant:: State II of VII, variant
Date:: 1999

Alternate Title:: The Angry Cat
Themes: Animals & Insects, Faces & Portaits
Techniques: Drypoint
Support:: Paper
Dimensions:: plate: 9 15/16 x 11 15/16" (25.2 x 30.3 cm); sheet: 13 3/8 x 14 1/2" (34 x 36.8 cm)
Signature:: "LB" lower right comp., red ink; "LB" lower right margin, red ink.
Publisher: unpublished
Printer: Harlan & Weaver
Edition:: 2 known variant impressions of state II
Edition Information:: Proof before the editioning of state VII.

The "AP" inscription, in the artist's hand, does not indicate a conventional A.P. impression, which would be of the final state.
Impression:: "AP" lower left margin, red ink, artist's hand.
Background:: In the 1950s, when Bourgeois was living with her husband and children in an apartment on 18th Street in New York City, the family had two cats: Champfleurette and Tyger.
Curatorial Remarks:: States I-VI of this composition are each titled "Champfleurette #2." The editioned state, state VII, is titled "The Angry Cat." (See also the 1993-1994 print, “Champfleurette, The White Cat,” in Related Works in the Catalogue below.)

The type of paper and plate dimensions are not documented because this impression is not in MoMA's Collection and could not be examined in person. The plate dimensions are from the published impression in MoMA's Collection.

Publisher Harlan & Weaver groups the editioned state of this composition with ten other drypoints of 1999, under the title, “11 Drypoints.” Each of the 11 compositions can be displayed individually. The full set is as follows:
“The Accident”
“The Angry Cat”
“Don’t Put Your Foot in Your Mouth”
“Fear”
“Feet (Socks)”
“Fences Are Obsolete”
“Madeleine”
“Mosquito”
“Mother and Child”
“Please Hang in There”
“The Smell of the Feet”

A mouse pad merchandise item was made from this variant of state II (Cat. No. 404/II, variant 2). A tea towel merchandise item was made from a different variant of state II (Cat. No. 404/II, variant 1). A t-shirt merchandise item was made from state VI (Cat. No. 404/VI).
Description:: Drypoint, with red and white gouache, pencil, red and black ink, and blue watercolor additions
Inscription:: Verso: "Champfleurette / #2" lower center to right sheet, red ink, artist's hand.
State Changes and Additions:: Changes from state I in drypoint: eyes, nose, and small, elliptical forms on forehead and mouth, all outlined and shaded.
Additions in pencil: small, elliptical forms overall shaded, anticipating state III.
Bibliography:: Malbert, Roger, and Juliet Mitchell. "Louise Bourgeois: Autobiographical Prints." London: Hayward, 2016. (Catalogue accompanying the touring exhibition "Louise Bourgeois Prints: Autobiographical Series and 11 Drypoints".)