Bébé Joufflu

Cat. No. 653/III, variant 1

Bébé Joufflu

State/Variant:
State III of III, variant
Date:
2002
Alternate Title:
The Big Baby; Paulo, Baby of the Art World
Themes
Figures
Techniques
Drypoint, Engraving
Support:
Paper
Dimensions:
plate: 9 15/16 x 7 7/8" (25.2 x 20 cm); sheet: 15 1/2 x 11 1/8" (39.4 x 28.3 cm)
Signature:
"LB" right lower margin, pencil.
Publisher
unpublished
Printer
Harlan & Weaver
Edition:
3 known variant impressions of state III
Edition Information:
Not issued as a published edition at any state.

The additional known impression of state III is in the collection of Tate Modern, London. It is signed "LB" in the lower right margin and inscribed "AP" in the lower left margin, both in red ink. The "AP" inscription, in the artist's hand, does not indicate a conventional A.P. impression, as "Bébé Joufflu" was not issued as a published edition at any state.

It is also inscribed "To Rosamond and John / Love, / Louise" in the lower middle margin in red ink. The inscription refers to the author and editor Rosamond Bernier (1916-2016) and her husband, art critic John Russell (1919-2008), who were close friends of Bourgeois's.
Impression:
Not numbered
Curatorial Remarks:
Printer Felix Harlan of Harlan & Weaver remembers Bourgeois using the working title, "The Big Baby," for this composition. However, the Louise Bourgeois Studio has designated the title to be the same as that of the source drawing: "Bébé Joufflu." This drawing was exhibited in "Louise Bourgeois Drawings and Sculpture" at Kunsthaus Bregenz in 2002. The accompanying catalogue lists the title incorrectly as "Bébé Jousslu."

Previous MoMA cataloguers used the title, "Paulo, Baby of the Art World," based on the inscription on the verso of State I. That inscription refers to Paulo Herkenhoff, the Brazilian curator and critic with whom Bourgeois had a longstanding friendship and professional relationship. As a gift for Herkenhoff, Bourgeois made the 2002 composition "Ex Libris (for Paulo Herkenhoff)," seen below in Related Works in Other Mediums.
Descriptive Title:
English translation: "Big Cheeked Baby"
Description:
Drypoint and engraving
State Changes and Additions:
Changes from state II, in engraving: lines reinforced throughout; hair increased.
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY

Bébé Joufflu

2002-2003

Source

2002

Bébé Joufflu
States
Bébé Joufflu
Bébé Joufflu
Bébé Joufflu
Bébé Joufflu

Related Works in the Catalogue

The Smile
Unaware and Aware
Ex Libris (for Paulo Herkenhoff)
Untitled, plate 3 of 6, from the portfolio, Together