We Love You

Cat. No. 561/I

We Love You

State/Variant:
State I of V
Date:
2000
Themes
Words
Techniques
Engraving
Support:
Paper
Dimensions:
plate: 3 1/2 x 9 3/4" (8.9 x 24.8 cm)
Signature:
"LB" lower right margin, red ink.
Publisher
unpublished
Printer
Harlan & Weaver
Edition:
1 known impression of state I
Edition Information:
Proof before the editioning of state V.
Impression:
Not numbered
Background:
Bourgeois created prints as holiday gifts for a circle of friends. The editioned state of "We Love You" was the holiday gift for 2000.
Curatorial Remarks:
What appears to be selective wiping is actually caused by markings in the plate.

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

The hand additions in white correction fluid and red ink cover the letter "I," suggesting that the artist started this composition with the phrase "I love you" before deciding to change it to "We love you."
Description:
Engraving, with red ink and white correction fluid additions
Other Remarks:
According to Jerry Gorovoy, the artist's assistant, Bourgeois found it very reassuring to declare her affection for her loved ones, and to receive their love in return. In addition to the prints and drawings that demonstrate this, the three untitled 1989 sculptures (seen below in Related Works in Other Mediums) also explore this idea, and show a rare use of text in the artist's sculpture. She also wrote such phrases on surfaces throughout her home. See Related Works in the Other Mediums for images from the artist's home.
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY

We Love You

2000

States
We Love You
We Love You
We Love You
We Love You
We Love You
We Love You
We Love You
We Love You
We Love You
We Love You
We Love You

Related Works in the Catalogue

I Love You
Untitled, plate 1 of 6, from the portfolio, Together
Love from Louise
Untitled, plate 5 of 6, from the portfolio, Together
We Love You
We Love You

Related Works in Other Mediums

Le Suicide Threat
We Love You
We Love You
We Love You
We Love You
We Love You
We Love You
We Love You (detail)
I Love You Do You Love Me
I Love You Do You Love Me
I Love You Do You Love Me
I Love You Even If You Don't Love Me
I Love You. Do You. Love Me? Yes No
I Live Therefore I Love You Therefore I Work
Untitled (with Foot)
Untitled (With Hand)
Untitled (With Hands)
Top of the stool in the front room of Louise Bourgeois's NYC home, as seen in 2016
The kitchen cabinet in Louise Bourgeois's NYC home on which she had painted "We Love You," as seen in 2016
Inside the kitchen cabinet in Louise Bourgeois's NYC home on which she had painted "We Love You," as seen in 2016