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)
Claude Lalanne, a Rare Gilt-Bronze Dragonfly Frame, France, C. 1985
By Claude Lalanne
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Claude Lalanne (1925-2019) A rare gilt-bronze dragonfly frame, France C. 1985, Signed on reverse Cl. Lalanne Artcurial 25/450. Measures: 4" high x 3...
Bronze
A fine Napoleon III Gilt Bronze Photo frame
Located in London, GB
A superb Napoleon III gilt bronze and satin lined photo frame, with space for three photos. Superb gilt bronze mounts, of good size. With a strut foot, or hoops, allowing it to be pl...
Bronze
$880Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.38 in W 7.5 in D 9.5 in
Fine Antique French Neoclassical Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Picture Frame
Located in Miami, FL
A fine ornate antique French Louis XV style gilt bronze photo frame with back easel stand, Napoleon III era, circa 1880. Richly decorated with neoclassical style motifs such as faces...
Bronze
$3,450
H 15 in W 10 in D 0.65 in
Wonderful French Ormolu Purple Enamel Gilt Bronze Bow Picture Frame Miniature
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful and rare French ormolu bronze and purple enamel picture frame with a miniature on the top with bows and tassels. Frame: 10" W X 15" H Picture:7" W X 9&q...
Bronze, Enamel
Gilt Bronze Frame, Contemporary Work
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Rectangular shape gilt bronze frame with a decor of small beads agglomerate. Contemporary work.
Bronze
Antique Art Nouveau Photo Album or Book with Brass Stand Up Frame
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique standing photo album is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from France and date to approximately 1900 and done in the period Art Nouveau style. The album is compo...
Brass
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.625 in W 5.875 in D 0.25 in
French Louis XVI Gilt Bronze Ormolu & Green Guilloche Enamel Picture Frame
Located in Atlanta, GA
A finely executed Continental miniature portrait, likely French or Austrian, dating to the late 19th century, depicting an 18th-century noblewoman in powdered coiffure and court atti...
Bronze, Enamel
19th Century French Gilt Bronze Neoclassic frame
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century French Gilt Bronze Neoclassic frame.
Bronze, Ormolu
Empire Gilt Bronze Picture Frame
Located in London, GB
Empire gilt bronze picture frame French, 19th Century Measures: Height 11cm, width 8cm, depth 0.5cm The rectangular picture frame featur...
Ormolu
19th-Century French Rococo Gilt Bronze Tabletop Frame
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This magnificent 19th-century French gilt bronze tabletop frame is an exceptional example of Rococo artistry, distinguished by its exuberant curves, openwork patterns, and finely scu...
Bronze
$687Sale Price|67% Off
H 23.63 in W 20.08 in D 3.55 in
French Crucifix Vitrine and Oval Frame, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Crucifix in its oval vitrine, French, late 19th century Golden frame Good condition For shipping: 9/51/60 cm, 3.3 kg.
Glass, Wood
Antique French 19th Century Gilt Bronze Standing Picture Frame
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Magnificent elaborate gilt bronze picture frame with a guilloche inset matt. The frame with garlands and swags with original oval glass an metal back with easel.
Bronze, Enamel
Tiffany Studios Gilt Bronze Picture Frame
By Tiffany Studios
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
TIFFANY STUDIOS GILT BRONZE PICTURE FRAME CIRCA 1900 Stamped TIFFANY STUDIOS/NEW YORK/1834. Height 10.75", width 8.5"
Bronze