Stencils for Fourteenth Stone

The preparatory drawings, stencils, and trial proofs in the collection of the Art Institute show the extensive trial and error that went into the creation of Fourteenth Stone. Still, the artist was unhappy with Fourteenth Stone as published. Although she settled upon white ink on black paper for the final published print, she explained, “I wasn’t happy with the color. It wasn’t what I wanted. I should have said, ‘Just do it in black and white. Let it sit up as a strong black and white.’ I remember seeing it after and saying, ‘Well, it’s as good as it can be. It’s done.’” Nonetheless, Fourteenth Stone is among Bontecou’s subtlest and most evocative prints.