Christie's held an exceptional sale dedicated to the French artist François-Xavier Lalanne (1927-2008), featuring works from the collection of his daughter, Dorothée Lalanne. This sale, titled "François-Xavier Lalanne, Sculptor | Dorothée Lalanne Collection," took place on October 10, following a public exhibition at Rockefeller Center in New York. A highlight of the event was the participation of fashion designer Simon Porte Jacquemus, who was invited to curate a special exhibition around the works on display. He brought his unique and modern vision to illuminate the work of this essential artist.
Dorothée Lalanne, deeply involved in preparing this sale, expressed her enthusiasm for this collaboration with Christie's: "My father, François-Xavier, worked with rigor, while maintaining a touch of humor and great elegance. Simon Porte Jacquemus, whose work is full of lightness and joy, is best placed to revive the magic and originality of my father's creations." She emphasized the importance of rediscovering the unexpected work of this artist through the lens of Jacquemus, a passionate sculptor.
Alex Heminway, Christie's International Design Director, also expressed his honor at having organized this first solo sale dedicated to François-Xavier Lalanne. He noted the artist's growing success in the market in recent years, particularly with prestigious exhibitions and auction records. Indeed, in 2022, Christie's sold the work Rhinocretaire I for over $19 million, reaching a new peak for Lalanne.
The sale comprised 70 lots, offering a retrospective of nearly half a century of creation. Animal sculptures, which have become François-Xavier Lalanne's trademark, were prominently featured, particularly key pieces such as The Very Large Bear (2009), estimated at $2 million to $3 million, and Tourtour Wind Rabbit (2002), estimated at $1 million to $1,5 million. These works, previously exhibited at the Palace of Versailles during the "The Lalannes at Trianon" exhibition in 2021, attest to the artist's creative genius and his surrealist approach to zoomorphism. Among the previously unseen pieces, Birdcatcher II (2003), presented at auction for the first time, reflects the playful and poetic spirit that characterizes Lalanne's work.
The renown of François-Xavier Lalanne and his wife Claude rests on their ability to transcend the boundaries between decorative arts and sculpture. Although often associated with the Surrealist movement, they developed a unique artistic language, influenced by nature and mythology, with subtle allusions to classical literature. Their works continue to attract the attention of the public and collectors worldwide, regularly achieving record sales.
This latest sale at Christie's achieved exceptional results, totaling $58,9 million, more than double the high estimate. It follows a string of recent successes for the Lalanne family. In 2021, a Sotheby's auction brought in €129 million, while another in December 2022, dedicated to the collection of Marie Lalanne, another daughter of the artist, reached $77 million.
François-Xavier Lalanne, with his life-size animal sculptures, has captured an imagination that is both dreamlike and playful, inviting us to rediscover the link between man and nature, and his works continue to fascinate and resonate with modern generations.
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