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Louise Bourgeois: An Intimate Portrait
A rare glimpse inside the private world of Louise Bourgeois, one of the greatest artists of the twentieth century.
"Readers who already love the artist will be thrilled by the richness of this book, and those who didn't know her work before will discover a complex, brilliant, and deeply emotional artist who used her creative gifts to reshape the world around her." – Architectural Digest
"Bound in soft sky–blue linen cloth and full of suggestive photography, the pleasure begins when the book is first held, its heft and weight, the mix of textures and fonts suggest something to be savored, then saved." – New York Journal of Books
Louise Bourgeois was one of the greatest artists of the twentieth century and photographer Jean–François Jaussaud met her for the first time in 1994 at her studio in Brooklyn. But it was not before she had interrogated him about every aspect of his life that he earned her trust. A rare photo session was set up in Spring 1995, under one condition: she would destroy the photographs if she didn't like them… Jaussaud agreed to it and passed the test.
He was then given carte blanche to photograph her studio and her house in Chelsea, and he kept coming back for another eleven years. Jaussaud's photographs of Louise Bourgeois in her house and studio are a moving testimony showing how completely implicated in her work she was, to the point that her private life and her work were inextricably interwoven.
Louise Bourgeois: An Intimate Portrait also contains:
•Extracts from Bourgeois' diary
• Personal notes
• Short texts from Jaussaud, Marie–Laure Bernadac, and Xavier Girard.
This is a must–have addition to any serious admirer of Louise Bourgeois as well as a fascinating entry point for those just discovering her groundbreaking explorations of the family, sexuality, bodies, death, and the unconscious.
"Readers who already love the artist will be thrilled by the richness of this book, and those who didn't know her work before will discover a complex, brilliant, and deeply emotional artist who used her creative gifts to reshape the world around her." – Architectural Digest
"Bound in soft sky–blue linen cloth and full of suggestive photography, the pleasure begins when the book is first held, its heft and weight, the mix of textures and fonts suggest something to be savored, then saved." – New York Journal of Books
Louise Bourgeois was one of the greatest artists of the twentieth century and photographer Jean–François Jaussaud met her for the first time in 1994 at her studio in Brooklyn. But it was not before she had interrogated him about every aspect of his life that he earned her trust. A rare photo session was set up in Spring 1995, under one condition: she would destroy the photographs if she didn't like them… Jaussaud agreed to it and passed the test.
He was then given carte blanche to photograph her studio and her house in Chelsea, and he kept coming back for another eleven years. Jaussaud's photographs of Louise Bourgeois in her house and studio are a moving testimony showing how completely implicated in her work she was, to the point that her private life and her work were inextricably interwoven.
Louise Bourgeois: An Intimate Portrait also contains:
•Extracts from Bourgeois' diary
• Personal notes
• Short texts from Jaussaud, Marie–Laure Bernadac, and Xavier Girard.
This is a must–have addition to any serious admirer of Louise Bourgeois as well as a fascinating entry point for those just discovering her groundbreaking explorations of the family, sexuality, bodies, death, and the unconscious.
192 pages, Hardcover
Published October 15, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 25, 2021
Every day you have to abandon your past or accept it, and then, if you cannot accept it, you become a sculptor.
February 7, 2024
forever inspired by spider sculpture lady !!!! oh my goodness this book is so beautiful
January 8, 2023
crazy artist apartment in 1990s new york
pretty cool
Louise Bourgeois is awesome because even though she was in her eighties when these were taken most of her sculptures are these huge warped metal things
pretty cool
Louise Bourgeois is awesome because even though she was in her eighties when these were taken most of her sculptures are these huge warped metal things
August 7, 2020
Illuminating but not as intimate as I thought it would be. I’m still looking for the book that will connect me to her life.
March 13, 2025
Louise Bourgeois: An Intimate Portrait is more than just a book—it’s a stunning, immersive experience into the world of one of the most iconic artists of the 20th century. Jean-François Jaussaud captures Bourgeois in her rawest, most personal moments, giving us a rare glimpse into her home, her creative process, and the intimate spaces where she brought her ideas to life. The photography is absolutely breathtaking, and the way the book weaves together visuals and storytelling makes you feel like you're right there in her world.
This isn’t just an art book—it’s a deeply personal tribute that makes you appreciate Bourgeois not just as an artist, but as a complex, fascinating human being. The mix of candid images, notes, and reflections gives it a level of depth that makes it stand out from other art biographies. Whether you're a hardcore fan of Bourgeois or just love beautifully curated books about artists and their spaces, this is 100% worth adding to your collection. It’s inspiring, intimate, and an absolute must-have for art lovers.
This isn’t just an art book—it’s a deeply personal tribute that makes you appreciate Bourgeois not just as an artist, but as a complex, fascinating human being. The mix of candid images, notes, and reflections gives it a level of depth that makes it stand out from other art biographies. Whether you're a hardcore fan of Bourgeois or just love beautifully curated books about artists and their spaces, this is 100% worth adding to your collection. It’s inspiring, intimate, and an absolute must-have for art lovers.
May 9, 2022
I only wish for more bourgeois but chuffed to pick this up for cheap and I'm not gonna afford a more thorough LB book in a hot minute so just stoked to have this physical source of her!!!! obsessed
February 25, 2024
Love how much she talks about strangling her father and his mistress
June 7, 2025
Een absolute parel. Heel opgetogen dat ie in mijn boekenkast wil komen staan.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews