* François-Xavier LALANNE (1927-2008)

Topiary Turtle II, 1998 Rare sculpture in patinated copper. Carapace forming a topiary. Stainless steel structure with castors. Created in 1992. Signed FXL, LALANNE, annotated and numbered EA 2/4 A and dated 98. H : 28 cm W : 92 cm D : 65 cm Good general original condition, no accidents, wear and scratches on the structure. Provenance: Sculpture offered in 1998 by the artist, a family friend, to the current owner. Bibliography : - Daniel Abadie, Lalanne(s), Paris, 2008, pages 177-179 - Claude & François-Xavier Lalanne, exhibition catalog, JGM Galerie, Paris, 2013, page 67 - Adrian Dannatt, François-Xavier and Claude Lalanne: In the Domain of Dreams, New York, 2018, page 189 - Robert Rosenblum, "Les Lannes," Ed. Skira 1991 p. 69 for a similar model. Exhibition : - Les Lalannes," Musée des Arts Décoratifs, 2010, Ed. Les Arts Décoratifs. - Paul Kasmin, "Claude & François-Xavier Lalanne; Art, Work, Life Photographs," Ed Skira Rizzoli, 2012. FRANÇOIS-XAVIER LALANNE Born in Agen in 1927, Lalanne attended the Académie Julian in the post-war years. In the early 50s, he met his soulmate and creative partner, Claude, born in 1925, who attended the Ecole des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. For the public, but also for collectors, they are inseparable in their creations. Throughout their lives, they have exhibited together, sharing the idea of giving their sculptures, taken directly from nature and animal fauna, a use or function. Their works, often hybrids, astonish and surprise. Their familiar dimensions, techniques and materials lend their sculptures a touch of humor and playfulness, contributing to the recognition of their artistic quality and their success on the international scene. Early Lalanne collectors included the Rothschilds, the Noailles and designers such as Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé. A decorator as famous and iconic as Peter Marino has been collecting their work for over thirty years, and has greatly contributed to its worldwide recognition. The Tortue Topiaire we are pleased to present, signed by François-Xavier and dated 1998, perfectly illustrates the idea of giving sculpture a function. Here we find all the magic of the bestiary from François-Xavier Lalanne's imagination. All his life, François-Xavier Lalanne has shared the idea of giving his sculptures, taken directly from nature and animal fauna, a use or function. La Tortue Topiaire succeeds here in blending the animal and plant worlds. Our sculpture, which can be placed indoors or out, bears witness to his poetic universe, sometimes verging on the surreal.