Escalier de 63

Cat. No. 1100

Escalier de 63

State/Variant:
Only state
Date:
1939
Themes
Architecture, Figures
Techniques
Lithography
Support:
Paper
Dimensions:
plate: 14 1/16 × 10 1/8" (35.7 × 25.7 cm); sheet: 19 1/16 × 12 13/16" (48.4 × 32.5 cm)
Signature:
Not signed
Publisher
unpublished
Printer
The Art Students League of New York
Edition:
2 known impressions of the only state
Edition Information:
Not issued as a published edition.

The second known impression of the only state is known only through photocopies held at the Archives of American Art. The lower left margin of this second impression is inscribed "escalier de 63 -- to Babette / Tout le monde voit quelle est belle," It is signed, numbered "1/4," and dated 1939.
Impression:
Not numbered
Background:
The title of this composition references the stairs at 63 Park Avenue. Louise Bourgeois lived at that address with her husband, Robert Goldwater, from the time of the artist's arrival in New York on October 12, 1938 until September 1939.

American painter and printmaker, Will Barnet (1911-2012) was the master printer at The Art Students League and printed Bourgeois's lithographs.

The inscription on the other known impression of this composition (known only through a photocopy) references Babette Deutsch (1895–1982). Deutsch was a poet, novelist, and critic, and taught at Columbia University.
Curatorial Remarks:
The inscription "L. Bourgeois" may have been added by printer Will Barnet to keep track of impressions he printed at the Art Students League. This impression was in the collection of Will Barnet.

In Wye and Smith, "The Prints of Louise Bourgeois," 1994, p. 136, this composition was titled "Babette." At the time, it was known only through Bourgeois's print list.

The verso of this impression contains a lithograph with no signature by an unknown artist.
Former Cat. No.:
W&S A9
Descriptive Title:
English translation: "Stairs of 63"
Description:
Lithograph
Inscription:
"Proof" lower left margin, pencil, unknown hand; "L. Bourgeois" pencil, lower right margin, unknown hand.
Image courtesy Swann Auction Galleries© 2019 The Easton Foundation/Licensed by VAGA, NY

Escalier de 63

1939

States
Escalier de 63

Related Works in the Catalogue

Overseas Letter
Man Reading
Composition