Cat. No. 506.2/III, variant 3
Male from Male and Female
- State/Variant:
- Version 2 of 3, state III of VIII, variant
- Date:
- 2004
- Themes
- Animals & Insects
- Techniques
- Drypoint
- Support:
- Paper
- Dimensions:
- plate: 13 7/8 x 9 15/16" (35.2 x 25.3 cm); sheet: 14 1/4 x 10 3/8" (36.2 x 26.4 cm)
- Signature:
- "LB" lower right comp., pencil.
- Publisher
- unpublished
- Printer
- Harlan & Weaver
- Edition:
- 4 known variant impressions of version 2, state III
- Edition Information:
- Proof before the editioning of Diptych 6, seen below in the Evolving Composition Diagram and comprising: left side (a): version 1, state VII, and right side (b): version 2, state VIII. This composition was also issued as a published edition at version 3, state II, titled "Le Chat."
The fourth known variant impression of version 2, state III, is seen below in the Evolving Composition Diagram as the right side (b) of Diptych 4. - Impression:
- Not numbered
- Curatorial Remarks:
- The type of paper and plate dimensions of this impression could not be 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 on paper in MoMA’s Collection. The sheet dimensions were provided by the Louise Bourgeois Studio.
Although the development of the Male and Female diptych has been divided into first and second versions for clarity, Bourgeois worked on both plates concurrently. - Description:
- Drypoint, with blue ink, pencil, and correction fluid additions
- State Changes and Additions:
- Changes from version 1: version 1, state I composition inverted and transferred to a new, identically sized plate, in drypoint.
Changes from version 2, state II, by burnishing: remnants of previous configuration of leg, tail, and genitals fully removed.
Additions in white correction fluid: top set of nipples masked, anticipating version 2, state IV.
(Version 2, state IV exists only as the right side (b) of Diptych 2.)
(Version 2, state V exists only as the right side (b) of Diptych 5.) - Other Remarks:
- According to printer Felix Harlan, the third, smaller version in the Evolving Composition Diagram was initially created as a test plate. Aquatint was being considered to add shading to the male cat. Ultimately, Bourgeois decided against aquatint for the shading, but she liked the compositional fragment on the test plate. She added the contour of the cat's body and editioned this version as "Le Chat" on handmade paper.
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Open to compare works
Select a work in the diagram below
Version 2 of 3, state III of VIII, variant
2004
A
B
Male and Female
2001-2005
Source
2001
Not in MoMA's Collection
Female
2001
Not in MoMA's Collection
Female
2001
Medium: Watercolor, ink, pencil, colored pencil, and white correction fluid on paper
Dimensions: sheet: 15 x 10" (38.1 x 25.4 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
First Version
Second Version
Diptych Version
Third Version
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1984
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1984
Medium: Bronze
Dimensions: overall: 30 x 19 x 15" (76.2 x 48.3 x 38.1 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Not in MoMA's Collection
You Ask Me Too Much
1995
Not in MoMA's Collection
You Ask Me Too Much
1995
Medium: Ink, gouache, and pencil on paper
Dimensions: sheet: 11 7/8 x 23 3/4" (30.2 x 60.3 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY