Who, Where, When, Why, What

Cat. No. 542.2/V, variant

Who, Where, When, Why, What

State/Variant:
Version 2 of 2, state V of VIII, variant
Date:
1999
Themes
Architecture, Music, Words
Techniques
Aquatint, Drypoint
Support:
Paper, with music paper chine collé
Dimensions:
plate: 11 7/8 x 9 13/16" (30.1 x 25 cm); sheet: 17 5/8 x 13 1/2" (44.8 x 34.3 cm)
Signature:
"Louise Bourgeois" lower right margin, pencil.
Publisher
unpublished
Printer
Harlan & Weaver
Edition:
3 known impressions of version 2, state V
Edition Information:
The "AP" inscription, in the artist's hand, does not indicate a conventional A.P. impression, as this composition was not issued as a published edition at any state.

The third known impression of this state is not illustrated, due to its similarity to the impression in MoMA's Collection (Accession Number: 1569.2012).

Not issued as a published edition at any state.
Impression:
Not numbered
Background:
In August of 1999, the Dalai Lama spoke at several well-attended events in New York City. Bourgeois's son, Jean-Louis, requested that his mother execute a benefit print to raise money for the Dalai Lama’s cause about a month prior to the speaking engagements. Although Bourgeois created this composition, the benefit project did not come to fruition and this print was never published.
Curatorial Remarks:
The plate dimensions 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 impressions in MoMA’s Collection. The sheet dimensions come from the following auction catalogue: "Editions." Phillips, New York, 23 November 2008. Lot 90.

This variant impression of version 2, state IV was sold at Phillips, New York, “Editions” auction on November 23, 2008, as lot 90. The description lists a "numbered edition of 25 and 7 artist's proofs, published by Harlan & Weaver, New York." According to Felix Harlan of Harlan & Weaver, this composition was never published.
Description:
Drypoint and aquatint, with chine collé
Inscription:
"AP" lower left margin, pencil, artist's hand.
State Changes and Additions:
Matrices:
The progression of version 2, as seen in the Evolving Composition Diagram below, involved 3 plates.
Plate 1: contours of composition and shading of capital W’s, in drypoint; printed in red or black.
Plate 2: shading of house borders and segments of smoke, in aquatint; printed in red or black.
Plate 3: smoke spiral, reconfigured text, and contours of capital W’s in soft ground etching; printed in red or black.

State Changes:
Plate 2 printed in red, over plate 1 printed in red.
Changes from version 1: composition reconfigured with text in boxes within a house shape, in drypoint.
Changes from version 2, state IV, in aquatint: borders of house, door, roof, chimney, and segments of smoke filled in.
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY

Who, Where, When, Why, What

1999-2008

Source

1999

Who Where When Why What
First Version
Who, Where, When, Why, What
Second Version
Who Where When Why What
Who, Where, When, Why, What
Who, Where, When, Why, What
Who, Where, When, Why, What
Who, Where, When, Why, What
Who, Where, When, Why, What
Who, Where, When, Why, What
Who, Where, When, Why, What
Who, Where, When, Why, What
Who, Where, When, Why, What
Who, Where, When, Why, What
Who, Where, When, Why, What
Who, Where, When, Why, What
Who, Where, When, Why, What
Who, Where, When, Why, What
Who, Where, When, Why, What

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