Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 12

Niki de Saint Phalle
Niki de St Phalle La Force Mixed Media Dragon Sculpture 1973 Edition of 7

1973

$72,000
$90,00020% Off
£54,438.65
£68,048.3120% Off
€63,736.01
€79,670.0120% Off
CA$102,438.15
CA$128,047.6920% Off
A$104,198.29
A$130,247.8620% Off
CHF 59,799.18
CHF 74,748.9820% Off
MX$1,252,585.66
MX$1,565,732.0820% Off
NOK 697,555.15
NOK 871,943.9420% Off
SEK 704,122.01
SEK 880,152.5120% Off
DKK 476,484.60
DKK 595,605.7420% Off

About the Item

Artist: Niki de Saint Phalle Title: La Force Medium: Mixed Media - Painted Polyester Resin, Metal Edition: 1/7 Size: 5.5"h x 14.5"w x 7"d Year: 1973 Inscription: Numbered in bottom '1/7' Created in 1973, "La Force" exemplifies Niki de Saint Phalle's exploration of symbolic figuration through vividly colored sculptural form. Executed in painted polyester resin over a metal armature, the work depicts a stylized female figure connected by a chain to a dragon-like mythical creature. This pairing reflects the artist's sustained engagement with myth, psychology, and archetypal imagery—central themes in her practice during the 1960s and 1970s. The female figure, defined by simplified anatomy and decorative surface patterning, relates formally to Saint Phalle's celebrated Nana sculptures, which reimagined representations of women through bold color, assertive presence, and graphic design. The dragon, rendered with playful exaggeration and saturated hues, introduces a narrative and symbolic dimension. The title, "La Force" ("Strength"), suggests an allegorical framework in which power may be understood as emotional, spiritual, or relational rather than purely physical. The chain linking the two figures establishes a visual and conceptual tension that invites open interpretation. Saint Phalle's use of industrial materials and high-key color aligns with her broader aim of accessibility and visual immediacy. This editioned sculpture demonstrates her ability to merge playfulness, symbolism, and formal clarity within a distinctive postwar sculptural vocabulary. "La Force" was created in 1973 and is executed in painted polyester resin with metal elements. The sculpture measures 5.5 × 14.5 × 7 inches and is from a limited edition of 7, this example numbered 1/7. The edition number is inscribed on the underside. About Niki de Saint Phalle Niki de Saint Phalle (1930–2002) was a French-American artist recognized as a major figure in postwar contemporary art, known for her monumental sculptures, painted reliefs, and interdisciplinary practice. Her work spans sculpture, painting, performance, film, and public art, and is widely associated with the Nouveau Realisme movement as well as the development of feminist perspectives in twentieth-century art. Born Catherine Marie-Agnès Fal de Saint Phalle in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, she was raised between Europe and the United States. Largely self-taught, she began making art in the 1950s and gained international recognition in the early 1960s with her Tirs (Shooting Paintings)—assemblages embedded with paint-filled packets that she and collaborators punctured during live actions, allowing pigment to spill across the surface. These works emphasized process, chance, and performative destruction while challenging traditional notions of authorship and image-making. In the mid-1960s, Saint Phalle introduced her iconic Nanas, a series of brightly colored, exuberant female figures characterized by rounded forms and dynamic poses. These sculptures, produced in both intimate and monumental scales, redefined representations of the female body in art and became central to her international reputation. Their bold palette and playful visual language made them especially significant within public art contexts. Saint Phalle realized numerous large-scale architectural and environmental projects. Among the most notable is the Tarot Garden (Il Giardino dei Tarocchi) in Tuscany, an immersive sculpture park inspired by the tarot's Major Arcana, developed over several decades. She also collaborated extensively with Swiss artist Jean Tinguely on kinetic and sculptural installations that merged mechanical elements with fantastical imagery. Her work addresses themes including gender, mythology, social justice, and spirituality, often through vivid color, accessible forms, and monumental scale. Niki de Saint Phalle's art is held in major museum collections worldwide, and her public sculptures remain enduring landmarks. She spent her later years in California, where she continued to work until her death in 2002.
  • Creator:
    Niki de Saint Phalle (1930-2002, French, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1973
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)Width: 14.5 in (36.83 cm)Depth: 7 in (17.78 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Minneapolis, MN
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 8938475763839371stDibs: LU1098117930302

More From This Seller

View All
Niki de Saint Phalle Serpent 1986 Ceramic Vase Signed Edition of 50

Niki de Saint Phalle Serpent 1986 Ceramic Vase Signed Edition of 50

By Niki de Saint Phalle

Located in Minneapolis, MN

Artist: Niki de Saint Phalle (French, 1930–2002) Title: Serpent Vase Medium: Ceramic and Polystyrene, Painted in Colors Edition: EA 3/7 (Epreuve d'Artiste, Artist's Proof, part of a ...

Category

Late 20th Century Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Niki de Saint Phalle Nana Ceramic Signed Edition of 200

Niki de Saint Phalle Nana Ceramic Signed Edition of 200

By Niki de Saint Phalle

Located in Minneapolis, MN

Artist: Niki de Saint Phalle Title: Nana Medium: Porcelain (white, partially glazed; polychrome decoration) Edition: 89/200 Size: 5" High Year: 1973 Inscription: “Niki de St. Phalle ...

Category

Late 20th Century Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Purvis Young Large 38” Rare Horse Sculpture Signed Original Hand Painted

Purvis Young Large 38” Rare Horse Sculpture Signed Original Hand Painted

By Purvis Young

Located in Minneapolis, MN

Artist: Purvis Young Title: Untitled Medium: Mixed Media Hand-Painting on Paper Mache Sculpture Size: 35" x 8-1/2" x 38" Edition: Original Inscription: Signed "Young" near tail Purv...

Category

Late 20th Century Sculptures

Materials

Acrylic, Handmade Paper

Jim Dine Mother & Son Enamel on Bronze 33” Sculpture, Rare Edition of 6

Jim Dine Mother & Son Enamel on Bronze 33” Sculpture, Rare Edition of 6

By Jim Dine

Located in Minneapolis, MN

Artist: Jim Dine Title: Mother & Son Medium: Enamel on Bronze Sculpture Dimensions: 33" x 23" x 11" Edition: Marked AP; from a Standard edition of 6 + 2 AP Years: 1996 Jim Dine'...

Category

Late 20th Century Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Peter Max Umbrella Man III Signed Hand Painted Acrylic Sculpture 12.5” 2018

Peter Max Umbrella Man III Signed Hand Painted Acrylic Sculpture 12.5” 2018

By Peter Max

Located in Minneapolis, MN

Artist: Peter Max Title: Umbrella Man (Ver.III #837) Medium: Hand Painted Acrylic Sculpture Dimensions: 12.25" x 8.5" x 4.5" Year: 2018 Inscription: Hand signed and dated with studio...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Sculptures

Materials

Paper, Acrylic Polymer

You May Also Like

Serpent Goddess -  French Nouveau Realisme Edition of 7

Serpent Goddess - French Nouveau Realisme Edition of 7

By Niki de Saint Phalle

Located in London, GB

This painted polyester sculpture is signed by the artist ‘Niki’ on the base. It is also numbered from the edition of only seven on the base. There were three artist’s proofs aside fr...

Category

1980s Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Polyester

Tantric Couple Sculpture, Resin and Paint, French School, Circa 1930s

Tantric Couple Sculpture, Resin and Paint, French School, Circa 1930s

By Niki de Saint Phalle

Located in PARIS, FR

Rare and beautiful sculpture by Niki de Saint Phalle, certificate by Niki de Saint Phalle Foundation. Some small lacks of gilding on the wings of the bird. Signed and numbered at the...

Category

1930s French School Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Resin, Paint

Niki de Saint Phalle Wall "Snake" Sculpture Model Unique ! 90s

Niki de Saint Phalle Wall "Snake" Sculpture Model Unique ! 90s

By Niki de Saint Phalle

Located in La xara, VC

Y. Tropea French artist in the entourage of Niki de saint Phalle In the beginning of her career whose inspiration in contact with Niki de saint phalle produced this exceptional work ...

Category

1990s French Other Contemporary Art

Materials

Metal

Niki de Saint Phalle "Nana Vase" Sculpture, Edition 83/150, c. 1984

Niki de Saint Phalle "Nana Vase" Sculpture, Edition 83/150, c. 1984

By Niki de Saint Phalle

Located in New York, NY

Niki de Saint Phalle "Nana Vase" Sculpture, Edition 83/150, c. 1984 Painted polyester resin, 1984, with impressed signature and incised numbered 83/150 on the underside, produced by...

Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Resin

Méchant Méchant

Méchant Méchant

By Niki de Saint Phalle

Located in Paris, FR

Lithograph, 1995 Edition : 173/250 Publisher : La Différence (Paris) 65.00 cm. x 105.00 cm. 25.59 in. x 41.34 in. (paper) Handsigned by the artist in pencil Certificate of authentic...

Category

1990s Abstract Abstract Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Vintage Sargadelos Porcelain Funny Witch Figure From Spain

Vintage Sargadelos Porcelain Funny Witch Figure From Spain

By Sargadelos, Lladro, Niki de Saint Phalle, Tiffany & Co.

Located in San Diego, CA

Beautiful ceramic porcelain rendition that is colorful and joyful. This piece is in great condition with no chips. The representation of "funny witch" is whimsical and unique. A gr...

Category

1990s Spanish Beaux Arts Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain