The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation

Cat. No. 585/III

The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation

State/Variant:
State III of XVII
Date:
2001
Themes
Figures
Techniques
Drypoint
Support:
Paper
Dimensions:
plate: 9 13/16 × 7 13/16" (24.9 × 19.9 cm); sheet: 13 1/4 × 10" (33.7 × 25.4 cm)
Signature:
"LB" lower right margin, pencil.
Publisher
unpublished
Printer
Harlan & Weaver
Edition:
1 known impression of state III
Edition Information:
Proof before the editioning of state XVII.
Impression:
Not numbered
Curatorial Remarks:
The paper type 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 an impression in MoMA's Collection. The sheet dimensions were provided by the Louise Bourgeois Studio.

The "WP" inscription most likely refers to the idea of a "working proof," made during the development of a composition.

A publicity poster was made with an image of state XVII for the 2002 documentary about the artist titled "C'est le murmure de l'eau qui chante." It was filmed over the course of 8 years by Brigitte Cornand, a French filmmaker who worked closely with Bourgeois in the last years of her life.
Descriptive Title:
English translation: "The Reparation"
Description:
Drypoint, with red ink additions
Inscription:
"WP" lower left margin, pencil, unknown hand.
State Changes and Additions:
Matrices:
The progression of this composition, as seen in the Evolving Composition Diagram below, involved 2 plates in 3 different techniques.

Plate 1, in drypoint and engraving: man and woman.

Plate 2, in aquatint: shading in woman's shoes.

State Changes:
Plate 1 printed in black.
Changes from state II, by burnishing: hanging line, hands, and woman's leg partially removed.
Changes from state II, in drypoint: bodies further delineated; hands and woman's leg reconfigured; shoes added to woman's feet.
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY

The Couple , plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation

2001-2003

States
The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation
The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation
The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation
The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation
The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation
The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation
The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation
The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation
The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation
The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation
The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation
The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation
The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation
The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation
The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation
The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation
The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation
The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation
The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation
The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation
The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation
The Couple, plate 5 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation

Portfolio

2003

La Réparation

Related Works in the Catalogue

The Cross-Eyed Woman II
Couples
Untitled, plate 4 of 5, from the illustrated book, The Laws of Nature
Louise and Robert, plate 6 of 24, from the series, Self Portrait

Related Works in Other Mediums

Couple
Couple
The Couple
Embracing Couple
The Couple
Couple
The Couple
The Couple
Couple I
The Couple
Hanging (To Life) on a Thread