Louise Bourgeois

The complete set of nine intaglio prints, 1942-48, all final or only states, with title-page and justification, each print signed in pencil and numbered 9/50, two plates titled, also numbered on the justification (the total edition was 50  plus 10 artist's proofs), on Arches wove paper, contained loose in original beige linen folder, printed by Piero Crommelynck, Paris, published in 1990 by Galerie Lelong, Paris

 

With wide margins (a deckle edge at right), in generally good condition apart from occasional rubbed corners recto and verso, occasionally a small area of pale paper discoloration at lower right corners, W. 25 and 27 with pale remains of previous adhesive, W. 22 and 25 with a minute fox mark recto or verso, W. 28 with a minor handling crease at upper right corner, title page with stray red ink at lower sheet. The blue paper lining on flaps of folder with slight wear, white label on upper cover with very pale discoloration at lower right corner.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Louise Bourgeois initially worked on the plates that form Quarantania in circa 1947. They were laid to rest for over forty years, until Galerie Lelong undertook the project to reprint the unknown plates and publish them as a coherent set in 1990 with the artist. This set represents Bourgeois' work from the 1940s, with the title Quarantania deriving from the French quarante, meaning 'forty'.