François-Xavier Lalanne

François-Xavier Lalanne - Le chat. Marble. (Circa 1990). Approx. 15 x 31 x 16 cm. One of 250 numbered copies. With engraved monogram on the gallery plaque on the bottom. Elegant reclining black marble cat with yellow eyes is a signature work from François-Xavier Lalanne's surrealist oeuvre inspired by animals, flora and fauna. He created whimsical yet undeniably poetic animal sculptures such as sheep, monkeys, frogs, cats, hippos, and rhinos. Lalanne abstracted and stylized their forms, sometimes humorously adapting them for functional use. At his first exhibition in 1952 in Paris, where he showed primarily paintings, he met Claude Dupeux, his future wife. They began working together, making hybrid creations between sculptures and everyday objects. In the future, they introduced themselves as "Les Lalanne." The two artists each developed their own works, but shared a common universe inspired by the animal and plant world, and often exhibited together. Their works are acquired by major collectors such as Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé or the Rothschilds and exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide. The 2010 retrospective organized by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris is one of the duo's last major exhibitions. Published by Artcurial, Paris. With a certificate of authenticity from Galerie Artcurial, Paris, dated 23.1.1991. Provenance: Galerie Artcurial, Paris; private collection, Bavaria. Taxation: differential taxed VAT: Margin Scheme