Louise Bourgeois - I Have Been to Hell and Back Handkerchief - Blue, 2007

Louise Bourgeois - I Have Been to Hell and Back Handkerchief - Blue, 2007

Embroidery on 100% Cotton Handkerchief

Envelope bears the artist's printed signature, and work itself has the artist's silkscreened initials, and it is hand numbered 819/1000
Blue 1st Edition. Accompanied by original Tate Gallery envelope. (see photos). Many editions of this work that are on the market lack the envelope; but not this. This long sold out limited edition embroidered handkerchief is based on a larger original, which Bourgeois created in 1996. The formal serif typeface and the horizontal lines that run across this work make it reminiscent of a students' composition. Created on the occasion of Bourgeois' 2007-08 exhibition at the Tate Modern, London - selling out shortly after. This very rare, extremely desirable embroidered handkerchief was created in three variations, blue, red and pink. The present work - the blue version, is the very first edition. What makes this work especially collectible is that the design was created and authorized during the artist's lifetime in collaboration with the Tate and Third Drawer Down. It bears Bourgeois' iconic and memorable phrase, "I Have Been to Hell and Back and Let Me Tell You It Was Wonderful." This work is in unusually excellent, as new condition, with the original bright hues preserved and not washed or faded, unlike many that have come to market. It bears the original folds, as the Tate sold these works folded in very small envelopes. It is also accompanied by the original Tate envelope. It is unframed, and would look terrific when framed. An extremely desirable collectors item; makes a superb and memorable gift. Envelope bears the artist's printed signature, and work itself has the artist's silkscreened initials, and it is numbered from the limited edition of only 1000.
This work has been elegantly floated against a blue matting and framed in a museum quality white wood frame under UV plexiglass.
Measurements:
Framed:
17 inches (vertical) x 16.75 inches (horizontal) x 2 inches
Textile:
12.2 square inches