Louise Bourgeois

"I am not what I seem, I am what I do with my hands.”

American,  1911-2010

Louise Bourgeois, a French-American artist born in 1911, left a profound impact on the art world with her museum-quality sculptures, installations, and fine art prints. Best known for her large-scale works, Bourgeois was also an accomplished painter and printmaker.

Amidst the Abstract Expressionist movement, Bourgeois developed a unique style. Her work delved into themes of family, sexuality, vulnerability, and the unconscious. Her iconic spider sculptures, towering cell-like structures, and evocative forms became her signature pieces, often imbued with raw emotion.

Bourgeois remained active as an artist well into her late 80s, establishing herself as a significant figure in contemporary art. Her creations urged viewers to explore complex human experiences, leaving an indelible mark on the art world.

Louise Bourgeois' monumental spider sculptures are among her most valuable works. In May 2023, a bronze "Spider" from a 1996 edition set a record, fetching a staggering $32.8 million at Sotheby's New York. This was not her only record-breaking arachnid—another cast from the same edition sold for $32.1 million four years earlier at Christie's.

Maman by Louise Bourgeois, 1999, via Guggenheim Bilbao (left); with Louise Bourgeois inside her articulated air at the MoMA, 1986, via The Guardian