Louise Bourgeois, 1996. Credit: © Oliver Mark / CC BY-SA 4.0
'Ode à Ma Mère', is a striking psychological series of nine drypoint etchings by the celebrated French-American artist, Louise Bourgeois. The series showcases the artist’s iconic spider imagery and delves into its layered and complex symbolic value.
The spider has become synonymous with Bourgeois’ work and is central to her personal identity and upbringing. Read on to learn five facts about the spider as Bourgeois’ most powerful motif...
Fact 1:
Louise Bourgeois’ largest Spider sculpture is ‘Maman’, standing tall at over 30 ft high and 33 ft wide. The monumental artwork was commissioned for the Tate Modern’s iconic Turbine Hall in London in 1999.
'Plate 8' from 'Ode à ma Mère' by Louise Bourgeois, drypoint and etching
Fact 2:
The spider symbolises Bourgeois’ mother, the artist explains their shared qualities: ‘spiders are helpful, clever and protective’, explaining that her mother is ‘deliberate, clever, patient, soothing, reasonable, dainty, subtle, indispensable, neat and as useful as a spider’.
'Plate 4' from Ode à ma Mère by Louise Bourgeois, drypoing and etching
Fact 3:
Bourgeois' first spider motif appeared in a very small ink and charcoal drawing made in 1947.
‘Plate 1’ from Ode à ma Mère by Louise Bourgeois, drypoint and etching
Fact 4:
Growing up surrounded by her parents tapestry weaving business, Bourgeois was often tasked with repairing broken tapestries. The artist likened the chore to the weaving and restoration work of spiders, whose webs were frequently broken and patiently repaired by the insect.
'Plate 3' from Ode à ma Mère by Louise Bourgeois, drypoint and etching
Fact 5:
In May 2023, Louise Bourgeois' 'Spider' (1996) broke her previous auction record and fetched the highest price ever paid at auction for a female scultpor.
'Plate 6' from Ode à ma Mère by Louise Bourgeois, drypoint and etching
