Hand (on Music Paper)
Mixed media drawing on textile support • Louise Bourgeois
Style & Movement
Contemporary Art; Surrealist-influenced Expressionism
Medium & Technique
Red ink or felt-tip pen with embroidery on music-staff printed fabric (or paper adhered to textile); cross-hatching and contour drawing technique
Creation Period
Circa 2000-2010
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 9 inches; Portrait format
Subject Description
A red, visceral hand with a visible ring on the fourth finger, drawn over horizontal musical staves. The hand appears raw and anatomical, symbolizing identity, touch, and domesticity. The red ink suggests blood, emotion, or pulsatile life.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; well-preserved under archival mounting and glass
Estimated Market Value
$150,000 - $250,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$120,000 - $180,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired from a major contemporary art gallery (such as Hauser & Wirth or Cheim & Read) or directly from the artist's estate collection. Initialed 'LB' in the lower right.
Art Historical Significance
A quintessential late-career work by Bourgeois, combining her use of found materials (music paper/textiles) and the motif of the hand, which represents her mother's restorative work as a weaver and her own psychological exploration of family trauma.
Notable Features
Features the artist's signature 'LB' initials in red; uses musical staves as a grounding grid, a common trope in her late 'Insomnia Drawings' and cloth works.
Condition Issues
Minor natural undulation of the textile support; no visible staining, fading, or foxing.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment with UV-protective museum glass. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading of the red ink and yellowing of the support.