An eight-legged sentinel now greets visitors on their way into the Hirshhorn Museum. Standing at 9 feet tall and 27 feet wide, Louise Bourgeois’ large bronze and steel sculpture “Crouching Spider” inspires an eerie fascination in passersby. There is no need to be afraid since the artist describes her spiders as iconic “guardians,” a “defense against evil.” Since its installation earlier this week, the work of art has become an instant attraction to visitors eager to be photographed with the Jurassic-sized arachnid.

 “Crouching Spider” is now on view at the Independence Avenue entrance to the Hirshhorn in anticipation of the Feb. 26 opening of “Louise Bourgeois,” a major retrospective that includes more than 120 sculptures, paintings and drawings. The Hirshhorn presentation of “Louise Bourgeois” is the last chance for the public to see the exhibition that began its tour in London and ends here in Washington, D.C. The Hirshhorn presentation will include a number of works from the museum’s own collection, not seen in other presentations on the tour. The exhibition will run through May 17, 2009.

Please visit the press room of Web site to download print-quality images of the sculpture and installation: http://www.hirshhorn.si.edu/info/press.asp?key=90.

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