Cat. No. 1071/triptych 2, variant 2
Triptych for the Red Room
- State/Variant:
- Component A: version 2 of 2, state II of VIII; Component B: version 3 of 3, state II of VI; Component C: version 2 of 2, state II of IX
- Date:
- 1994
- Themes
- Figures, Motherhood & Family
- Techniques
- Aquatint, Drypoint
- Support:
- Paper
- Dimensions:
- plate (a): 18 15/16 × 23 13/16" (48.1 × 60.5 cm); plate (b): 18 13/16 × 35 9/16" (47.8 × 90.4 cm); plate (c): 18 13/16 × 29 5/16" (47.8 × 74.4 cm); sheets (3 lined up left to right): 27 3/4 × 111 3/4" (70.5 × 283.8 cm)
- Signature:
- "Louise Bourgeois" lower right margin (each sheet), pencil.
- Publisher
- Louise Bourgeois
- Printer
- Harlan & Weaver
- Edition:
- 6 known variant triptychs, outside the final edition
- Edition Information:
- This composition was issued as 4 separate editions:
Single sheet: “Arched Figure”: 50; plus 10 P.P. (numbered I/X-X/X)
Diptych: “Diptych for the Red Room”: 3
Triptych 1: “Arch of Hysteria” (photocopy; reduced size): 3 completed, of an announced edition of 7
Triptych 2: “Triptych for the Red Room”: 30; plus 10 A.P.
In the evolution of “Triptych for the Red Room,” the artist worked with impressions of components A, B, and C at various states. She also combined impressions at various states to create 6 unnumbered triptychs: three signed, with hand additions; two signed, with no hand additions; one unsigned, with no hand additions.
The Evolving Composition Diagram includes all works described above.
There are 4 printer's studies in MoMA's Collection (Accession Numbers: 470.2010, 471.2010, 472.2010, 473.2010). They are not illustrated here. - Impression:
- Not numbered
- Background:
- "Triptych for the Red Room" was first exhibited in 1994 at Peter Blum Gallery with Bourgeois' related dual installation pieces, "Red Room (Parents)" and "Red Room (Child)" (see Related Works in Other Mediums).
- Curatorial Remarks:
- Catalogue Numbers for the various impressions refer to their location within the Evolving Composition Diagram, rather than to the version or state.
- Description:
- Aquatint, drypoint, and engraving, with hand additions
- State Changes and Additions:
- Matrices:
The progression of this composition involved 13 plates as well as photocopy versions of each component. The 13 plates included linear elements of the composition in drypoint and engraving; aquatint shading in the figures’ bodies; and various aquatint backgrounds.
State Changes:
Given the complexity of the development of this composition, the Evolving Composition Diagram is arranged by Component (A, B, and C for each sheet of this 3-sheet composition) and Format (single sheet, diptych and triptych) rather than by State and Version. State and Version changes are described, but specific plates (of the 13 utilized for this composition) are not identified.
(A): Changes from version 2, state I, in aquatint: solid background added.
Changes from version 2, state I, in engraving: overall contours reinforced.
Additions in hand coloring: detail and shading added to both figures; contours of both figures outlined, anticipating version 2, state III.
(B): Changes from version 3, state I, in aquatint: solid background added; light area of shading added to arched child’s lower leg.
Changes from version 3, state I, in engraving: overall composition reinforced.
Additions in hand coloring: detail and shading added to each figure; contours of all figures outlined, anticipating version 3, state III.
(C): Changes from version 2, state I, in aquatint: solid background added.
Changes from version 2, state I, in engraving: overall contours reinforced.
Additions in hand coloring: detail and shading added to both figures; contours of both figures outlined, anticipating version 2, state III. - Artist’s Remarks:
- Inscribed on the source drawing for component C: "Which one are you? Today? / The tall one or the short one / I can be either one. / You have to be / Ready to deal / with a scene / like this. I could not / even carry the bundle"
Component A: version 2 of 2, state II of VIII; Component B: version 3 of 3, state II of VI; Component C: version 2 of 2, state II of IX
1994
Arched Figure ; Arch of Hysteria ; Diptych for the Red Room ; Triptych for the Red ...
1992-2000
Source
1992
Altered States
1992
Altered States
1992
Medium: Gouache, ink, and pencil on paper
Dimensions: sheet: 19 × 23 3/4" (48.3 × 60.3 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Source
1992
Arch of Hysteria (double-sided)
1992
Arch of Hysteria (double-sided)
1992
Medium: Ink, pencil, and crayon on graph paper
Dimensions: sheet: 8 × 17" (20.3 × 43.2 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Source
1991
Untitled
1991
Untitled
1991
Medium: Watercolor and ink on paper
Dimensions: sheet: 13 7/8 x 22 1/16" (35.3 x 56 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Component A: version 2 of 2, state VI of VIII
1994
<i>Triptych for the Red Room</i>
1994
Study
1992
Untitled (Study for <i>Arch of Hysteria</i>)
1992
Component B: version 1 of 3, only state, variant
1992-1993
<i>Arched Figure</i>
1992-1993
Component B: version 1 of 3, only state
1992
<i>Arched Figure</i>
1992
Component C: version 2 of 2, state V of IX
1994
<i>Triptych for the Red Room</i>
1994
Component C: version 2 of 2, state VII of IX
1994
<i>Triptych for the Red Room</i>
1994
Component C: version 2 of 2, state VIII of IX
1994
<i>Triptych for the Red Room</i>
1994
Component A: version 2 of 2, state III of VIII; Component C: version 2 of 2, state III of IX
1994
<i>Diptych for the Red Room</i>
1994
Component A: version 1 of 2, only state; Component B: version 2 of 3, only state; Component C: version 1 of 2, only state
1994
<i>Arch of Hysteria</i>
1994
Component A: version 1 of 2, only state; Component B: version 2 of 3, only state; Component C: version 1 of 2, only state
1994
<i>Arch of Hysteria</i>
1994
Component A: version 1 of 2, only state; Component B: version 2 of 3, only state; Component C: version 1 of 2, only state
1994
<i>Arch of Hysteria</i>
1994
Component A: version 2 of 2, state I of VIII; Component B: version 3 of 3, state I of VI; Component C: version 2 of 2, state I of IX
1994
<i>Triptych for the Red Room</i>
1994
Component A: version 2 of 2, state II of VIII; Component B: version 3 of 3, state II of VI; Component C: version 2 of 2, state II of IX
1994
<i>Triptych for the Red Room</i>
1994
Component A: version 2 of 2, state III of VIII; Component B: version 3 of 3, state IV of VI, variant; Component C: version 2 of 2, state III of IX
1994-2000
<i>Triptych for the Red Room</i>
1994-2000
Component A: version 2 of 2, state IV of VIII; Component B: version 3 of 3, state III of VI, variant; Component C: version 2 of 2, state IV of IX
1994
<i>Triptych for the Red Room</i>
1994
Component A: version 2 of 2, state V of VIII; Component B: version 3 of 3, state V of VI; Component C: version 2 of 2, state VI of IX
1994
<i>Triptych for the Red Room</i>
1994
Component A: version 2 of 2, state VII of VIII; Component B: version 3 of 3, state VI of VI; Component C: version 2 of 2, state IX of IX
1994
<i>Triptych for the Red Room</i>
1994
Component A: version 2 of 2, state VIII of VIII; Component B: version 3 of 3, state VI of VI; Component C: version 2 of 2, state IX of IX
1994
<i>Triptych for the Red Room</i>
1994
Related Works in the Catalogue
Untitled
Only state
1989
Untitled
1989
Untitled, plate 2 of 5, from the illustrated book, The Laws of Nature
State X of X
2006
Untitled, plate 2 of 5, from the illustrated book,<i> The Laws of Nature</i>
2006
Arch of Hysteria, plate 19 of 24, from the series, Self Portrait
State II of II
2009
<i>Arch of Hysteria</i>, plate 19 of 24, from the series,<i> Self Portrait</i>
2009
Related Works in Other Mediums
Arch of Hysteria
1993
Arch of Hysteria
1993
Medium: Bronze
Dimensions: overall: 33 x 40 x 23" (83.8 x 101.6 x 58.4 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Red Room (Parents)
1994
Red Room (Parents)
1994
Medium: Wood, metal, rubber, fabric, marble, glass, and mirror
Dimensions: overall: 97 1/2 x 168 x 167" (247.7 x 426.7 x 424.2 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Untitled (Arch of Hysteria)
1992
Untitled (Arch of Hysteria)
1992
Medium: Watercolor and ink on paper
Dimensions: sheet: 9 x 12" (22.9 x 30.5 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Arch of Hysteria
2004
Arch of Hysteria
2004
Medium: Fabric
Dimensions: overall: 7 x 19 3/4 x 4 3/4" (17.8 x 50.2 x 12.1 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Red Room (Child)
1994
Red Room (Child)
1994
Medium: Wood, glass, thread, metal, and rubber
Dimensions: overall: 83 x 139 x 108" (210.8 x 353.1 x 274.3 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Red Room
1947
Red Room
1947
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: canvas: 36 x 14" (91.4 x 35.6 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Arched Figure
1993
Arched Figure
1993
Medium: Bronze, fabric, and metal
Dimensions: overall: 46 x 76 x 39" (116.8 x 193 x 99.1 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Untitled (Arch of Hysteria)
1992
Untitled (Arch of Hysteria)
1992
Medium: Gouache on tracing paper
Dimensions: sheet: 7 × 8 1/2" (17.8 × 21.6 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Untitled (Arch of Hysteria)
1992
Untitled (Arch of Hysteria)
1992
Medium: Gouache on tracing paper
Dimensions: sheet: 19 × 23 1/2" (48.3 × 59.7 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Cell (Arch of Hysteria)
1992-1993
Cell (Arch of Hysteria)
1992-1993
Medium: Steel, bronze, cast iron, and fabric
Dimensions: overall: 119 × 145 × 120" (302.3 × 368.3 × 304.8 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Arched Figure No. 1
1997
Arched Figure No. 1
1997
Medium: Fabric, nylon, rubber, and steel
Dimensions: overall: 9 × 20 × 6 1/2" (22.9 × 50.8 × 16.5 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Arched Figure No. 2
1997
Arched Figure No. 2
1997
Medium: Fabric, nylon, bone, and steel
Dimensions: overall: 12 × 9 1/2 × 33" (30.5 × 24.1 × 83.8 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Arched Figure No. 3
1997
Arched Figure No. 3
1997
Medium: Fabric and steel
Dimensions: overall: 20 × 14 × 49" (50.8 × 35.6 × 124.5 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Arch of Hysteria
2004
Arch of Hysteria
2004
Medium: Fabric
Dimensions: overall: 8 1/2 × 21 × 4 3/4" (21.6 × 53.3 × 12.1 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY
Untitled
2002
Untitled
2002
Medium: Ink on graph paper
Dimensions: sheet: 8 1/2 × 11" (21.6 × 27.9 cm)
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY