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 is also known for his public commissions. For example, in France he 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 François-Xavier and Claude that was installed at the Hakone Open-Air Museum in Japan.
In 1968, François-Xavier was made a Knight of Arts and Letters. His works have been acquired by great collectors such as Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, the Rothschilds and Charles and Marie-Laure de Noailles. 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. After a long career, François-Xavier died in 2008 in Ury.
Find authentic François-Xavier Lalanne sculptures, prints and other art and furniture on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by Bailly Gallery Geneva-Paris)
Francois-Xavier Lalanne (1927-2008) The Hen, unique watercolore
By François-Xavier Lalanne
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Francois-Xavier Lalanne (1927-2008) The Hen, unique watercolored trial Techniques: mixed media on Arches paper (watercolor, etching) Hand signed in pencil by François Xavier Lalanne...
Paper
Francois-Xavier Lalanne (1927-2008), Sheeps, unique work
By François-Xavier Lalanne
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Francois-Xavier Lalanne (1927-2008), Sheeps, unique work This unique work by François Xavier Lalanne is made of watercolor, with lines drawn with graphite and manière de crayon. Dep...
Paper
Spirit of 76
By Martha Hamlin Visser't Hooft
Located in Buffalo, NY
A whimsical gouache painting by American female surrealist Martha Visser't Hooft depicting a butterfly in a patriotic color scheme. Martha Visser't Hooft was born in Buffalo in 19...
Archival Paper, Gouache
$761
H 22.05 in W 19.69 in
Animal Painting Surrealist Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ artist Birds Circle Life
By Isabel Rock
Located in Norfolk, GB
Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences while a surreal narrative takes the audience on a journey into the imagination. Hugely inspired by Paula Rego, Isabel Rock is part of a formidable group of women artists (Leonora Carrington and Eileen Agar amongst others) working with Surrealism. In October 2023 Isabel won the Evelyn Williams...
Paint, Mixed Media, Archival Paper, Pen
$1,500
H 25 in W 29 in
Glean - Landscape, Sown Field w/ Two Rabbits, Graphite, Archival Paper
By John Hrehov
Located in Chicago, IL
The pristine, symmetrical and orderly landscape brings an unnatural stillness to John Hrehov's painting entitled "Glean". The rabbits are central to the sparse landscape, feasting on a freshly sown field. Straight lines and geometric patterns are used to compose a glossy concept of reality. The drawing is matted and framed in a simple black wooden frame measuring 26 x 30 inches. John Hrehov Glean graphite on archival paper 25h x 29w in 63.50h x 73.66w cm JHR003 John Hrehov Education 1985 MFA-Painting, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 1981 BFA-Painting, Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OH. Solo Exhibitions 2017 John Hrehov, Paintings and Drawings. Tom Thomas Gallery...
Archival Paper, Graphite
"Cheshire cat"
Located in Edinburgh, GB
This painting is about the fairy tale Alice in Wonderland and her friend, the Cheshire Cat. In this work, I have captured a dance of colors and emotions on canvas. Through oil ...
Paper, Oil
Hide
By Airom
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Play on words Hide. Information hide, skin hide, hide and seek.
Canvas, Ink, Oil, Acrylic, Archival Paper
$3,200
H 30 in W 22 in
"Scarlet Ibis, Red Chair" Contemporary Surrealist Painting, red bird on chair
By Thomas Broadbent
Located in New York, NY
A red ibis perches on a red armchair in this contemporary surrealist painting by New York artist, Thomas Broadbent. The long legs of this water bird complement the design of the cha...
Watercolor, Archival Paper
$3,500
H 25.75 in W 18.25 in
Surrealist Photo Collage Assemblage Art Butterfly Mouth Ivan Chermayeff
By Ivan Chermayeff
Located in Surfside, FL
Ivan Chermayeff (1932-2017): Butterfly Mouth Mixed media collage, 2002, hand signed 'Ivan Chermayeff' and dated lower right, titled lower left. Bears label from David Findlay Jr. Ga...
Paper, Mixed Media
$761
H 22.05 in W 19.69 in
Animal Painting Surrealist Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ artist Blue Birds
By Isabel Rock
Located in Norfolk, GB
Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences while a surreal narrative take...
Paint, Mixed Media, Archival Paper, Pen
$761
H 22.05 in W 19.69 in
Animal Painting Surrealist Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ artist Circle of Life
By Isabel Rock
Located in Norfolk, GB
Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences while a surreal narrative take...
Paint, Mixed Media, Archival Paper, Pen
$761
H 22.05 in W 19.69 in
Animal Painting Surrealist Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ artist Circle of Life
By Isabel Rock
Located in Norfolk, GB
Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences while a surreal narrative take...
Paint, Mixed Media, Archival Paper, Pen
$761
H 22.05 in W 19.69 in
Animal Painting Surrealist Royal College of Art LGBTQ+ artist Birds Circle Life
By Isabel Rock
Located in Norfolk, GB
Isabel Rock is a creator of contemporary fairy tales. A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, her work is an explosion of strange occurrences while a surreal narrative take...
Paint, Mixed Media, Archival Paper, Pen
Birds in Flight (Comanche Native American surrealist painting)
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Birds in Flight, ca. 1975-80. Gouache on Arches rag paper, Sheet measures 23 x 30 inches. Image measures 22 x 29 inches. Signed lower left. Excellent condition. Unframed.
Gouache, Rag Paper