François-Xavier Lalanne was born in 1927 in Agen. After the war, he moved to Paris where he studied at the Académie Julian to become a painter. On the occasion of his first exhibition at the Cimaise Gallery in Paris in 1952, Lalanne met Claude Dupeux (Lalanne), his future wife. After meeting her, he gave up painting and started working with her.
The first joint exhibition for Claude and François-Xavier, titled "Zoophite," took place in 1964 at the J. Gallery. They revealed their creations — hybrids of sculptures and everyday objects. In 1966, they introduced themselves under the name Les Lalanne.
The two artists each created their own works but shared a common universe inspired by the animal and plant world and often exhibited together.
François-Xavier invented a bestiary composed of monkeys, rhinos, donkeys, camels, toads, hippos and cats. Among them, the sheep was undoubtedly his favorite animal. Alone or in a flock, with or without a head, sheathed in the fleece of sheep or not, his sheep sculptures can also constitute seats. His will, shared by Claude, was to desacralize the sculpture to give it a familiar dimension.
François-Xavier and Claude are also known for their public commissions. For example, in France, François-Xavier created two concrete pigeons in the city of Grande-Borne in Grigny, and Les Pleureuses (“The Mourners”) is a monumental fountain created in 1986 by the couple that was installed at the Hakone Open-Air Museum in Japan.
The work of Les Lalanne is exhibited throughout the world, presented in both galleries and museums. The retrospective organized in 2010 by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs is one of the last major exhibitions of the duo.
Find authentic Claude Lalanne furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by Bailly Gallery Geneva-Paris)
Belzoni, a Racing Car Sculpture, "Reverso"
By Belzoni
Located in Paris, FR
Reverso A gilt plaster model of a racing car. On a Cheyenne marble or rectangular wood base. Belzoni finds inspiration in the legendary racing cars of the 1950s and the 1960s....
Plaster
Michael Schilkin, Bear, Cast-iron wall sculpture, 1960
Located in Paris, FR
Michael Schilkin Bear A cast-iron wall low relief sculpture of a walking bear. Signed lower middle "Schilkin". With marks on the back "Högfors" and "SVL, vuosikokous" and dated "14...
Iron
Belzoni, a Racing Car Sculpture, "Modena"
By Belzoni
Located in Paris, FR
Modena A red lacquered and varnished marble composite model of a racing car. On a dark lacquered rectangular wood base. Belzoni finds inspiration in the legendary racing cars ...
Composition, Marble
Félix Agostini, Amour Ardent, Applique, circa 1955
By Felix Agostini
Located in Paris, FR
A gilt bronze with two lights applique with a rectangular pink shade. Signed.
Bronze
Belzoni, a Racing Car Sculpture, "GT-M"
By Belzoni
Located in Paris, FR
GT-M A sculpture figuring a GT racing car. On a rectangular wood base. Available in various finishes, silvered, polished bronze, lacquered bronze. Belzoni finds inspiration...
Composition
Belzoni, Racing Car Sculpture, "Carmel"
By Belzoni
Located in Paris, FR
Carmel A silvered model of a racing car. On a Cheyenne marble or rectangular wood base. Belzoni finds inspiration in the legendary racing cars of the...
Plaster
Claude Lalanne Brooch Pomme Bouche Patinated Bronze Brooch Signed CL Lalanne
By Claude Lalanne
Located in Chicago, IL
Surrealistic Pomme Bouche brooch by Claude Lalanne, created in 1975. Bronze with a dark brown patina and a verdigris leaf and stem, signed with editions mark and monogrammed Arthus-B...
Bronze
Broche pomme-bouche
By Claude Lalanne
Located in PARIS, FR
EDITION Signed and monogrammed. Edition Arthus Bertrand, Paris
Bronze
Pomme Bouche
By Claude Lalanne
Located in PARIS, FR
Edition Signed with the stamp: Lalanne Monogrammed, marked and numbered under the apple: CL ; Artcurial ; 57/250 Literature Robert Rosenblum, Les Lalanne, Genève, Éditions Skira, 1991, an other version reproduced p. 123. Claude et François...
Bronze
Brass Apple Table Top Sculpture Paperweight Cast Circa 1970s Unlacquered (Korea)
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Round Top, TX
Iconic vintage solid brass apple paperweight, a sculptural Pop Art object distinguished by its substantial weight and timeless form. Crafted in unlacquered brass, the surface has dev...
Brass
Bronze Quince Made by Polish Artist Aleksander Detkos
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Aleksander Detkos, born in 1939 in Gorlice, is a Polish sculptor. Fascinating piece made by Detkos in 1990. It depicts the quince fruit which itself is about as hard as this bronz...
Bronze
20th Century, François Xavier and Claude Lalanne attr. Centerpiece 70s
By Claude and Francois-Xavier Lalanne
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Claude Lalanne was a French sculptor and designer. Her career is closely linked to the duo Les Lalanne that she formed with her husband, Francois-Xavier; they shared a poetical and d...
Bronze
