Le Chat

Cat. No. 506.3/II

Le Chat

State/Variant:
Version 3 of 3, state II of II
Date:
2004
Themes
Animals & Insects, Body Parts
Techniques
Aquatint, Drypoint, Engraving
Support:
Handmade Aspen paper
Dimensions:
plate: 4 5/16 x 4 5/16" (10.9 x 11 cm); sheet: 10 7/8 x 10 1/2" (27.6 x 26.7 cm)
Signature:
"Louise Bourgeois 2004" lower middle to lower right margin, pencil.
Publisher
Harlan & Weaver
Printer
Harlan & Weaver
Edition:
8; plus 4 A.P., 2 P.P., 1 B.A.T.
Edition Information:
There is 1 known impression of version 3, state III, outside the edition. It is in MoMA's Collection (Accession Number 1506.2012) and is not illustrated, due to its silimarity to the published impression seen here.
Proof before the editioning of version 3, state II. This fragmented composition, in its full form, and with a companion composition, was also issued as a published diptych, "Male and Female," seen below as diptych 6 in the Evolving Composition Diagram.
Impression:
"ap 1/4" lower left margin, pencil, unknown 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:
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. The paper type was provided by the printer.

It is conceivable that there were one or more states prior to state I, as this state includes three separate intaglio processes and a printer's inscription which reads "state 3." However, no known impressions of earlier states exist.
Description:
Drypoint, aquatint, and engraving
State Changes and Additions:
Changes from version 2: composition detail transferred to a smaller plate without contour lines, in aquatint and engraving.
Changes from version 3, state I, in drypoint: nipples and contour lines added.
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY

Male and Female

2001-2005

Source

2001

Female
First Version
Female from Male and Female
Female from Male and Female
Female from Male and Female
Female from Male and Female
Female from Male and Female
Female from Male and Female
Female from Male and Female
Female from Male and Female
Female from Male and Female
Female from Male and Female
Female from Male and Female
Second Version
Male from Male and Female
Male from Male and Female
Male from Male and Female
Male from Male and Female
Male from Male and Female
Male from Male and Female
Male from Male and Female
Male from Male and Female
Male from Male and Female
Diptych Version
Male and Female
Male and Female
Male and Female
Male and Female
Male and Female
Male and Female
Third Version
Le Chat
Le Chat

Related Works in the Catalogue

Champfleurette, the White Cat
Untitled, plate 1 of 5, from the illustrated book, Metamorfosis
Self Portrait
Untitled, no. 11 of 12, from the illustrated book, To Whom It May Concern
The Cross-Eyed Woman II

Related Works in Other Mediums

Nature Study
You Ask Me Too Much