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Francois
Xavier Lalanne

François-Xavier Lalanne, renowned for merging fine art with functionality, transformed sculptures into whimsical yet practical objects that redefine living spaces. If you’re looking for original François-Xavier Lalanne prints and editions for sale or would like to sell, request a complimentary valuation and browse our network’s most in-demand works.

Francois Xavier Lalanne art for sale

Discover Francois Xavier Lalanne prints for sale, exclusively available through our private network of collectors. Explore signed and unsigned screenprints, lithographs, digital prints, and rare editioned proof prints by era-defining blue chip artists.

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Biography

Born in 1927 in Agen, France, François-Xavier Lalanne was influenced by the natural beauty of his countryside upbringing. After moving to Paris and studying at the Académie Julian, Lalanne quickly became a part of the city's vibrant art scene. His early experiments merged functional design and sculpture, leading to a unique style that transformed everyday objects into works of art. His collaboration with his wife, Claude Lalanne, under the moniker Les Lalanne, further explored this fusion, creating pieces that were both practical and whimsical.

Lalanne's career was marked by his playful and innovative approach to art, gaining international acclaim through exhibitions and retrospectives, notably at Paris's Musée des Arts Décoratifs. His work, often incorporating elements of nature and mythology, captivated a wide audience, establishing him as a key figure in modern art. Even after his passing in 2008, Lalanne's legacy continues, with his creations remaining highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike.


Lalanne's development was marked by a series of key periods, where his work evolved from painting to the creation of surreal and functional sculptures, often depicting animals with a playful yet sophisticated twist. His Mouton De Pierre Classique works featured a flock of sheep that doubled as seating, showcasing Lalanne's commitment to form and function, whimsy and elegance.

His work found resonance with the likes of Surrealist artist Salvador Dalí and the Nouveau Réalisme movement. However, despite these influences, Lalanne's voice remained distinct, characterised by his unique blend of humour and refinement.

Major exhibitions at prestigious institutions, such as the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Museum of Decorative Arts in Bordeaux, have celebrated Lalanne's work. His sculptures adorn both public spaces and private collections, elevating everyday environments with a sense of the extraordinary.

As an artist who seamlessly integrated art with life, Lalanne's work is a testament to the power of imagination and the enduring allure of beauty. His sculptures not only enhance the aesthetic of their surroundings but also invite viewers to re-envision the world through a lens of playful innovation and artful living.


A bronze sculpture of a rhinoceros with a desk surface, shelves, and cabinets incorporated into its form. The form of the rhino appears almost robotic, with distinct sheets of metal and very sharp precise edges.

Rhinocéraire I © François-Xavier Lalanne 1964

1. £13.7M for Francois Xavier Lalanne's Rhinocéraire I

Lalanne's current auction record was set when Rhinocéraire I (1964) sold at Christie's Paris in October 2023 for a staggering 260% of its £5.2 million high estimate. This unique mixed media sculpture, reaching 3 metres long with several different metallic finishes, perfectly encapsulates Lalanne's genius for merging artistic vision with unexpected functionality. Most remarkably, the sculpture's imposing, almost mechanical exterior harbours a secret - its back swings open to unveil a fully functional desk, elegantly manifesting Lalanne's core philosophy that art should seamlessly integrate into daily life rather than remain apart from it. Created after Lalanne and his artist wife Claude’s first exhibition together at Jeanine Restany's Galerie J in Paris in 1964, this masterpiece brilliantly synthesises his formative influences from the Louvre's ancient collections with the surrealist sensibilities he absorbed through his relationships with Salvador Dalí and Max Ernst in Montparnasse.

A gilded bronze sculptural piece featuring four small adult elephants and three small infant elephants beneath an intricate tree-like structure that supports a glass tabletop. Each is a separate piece, so the arrangement can be changed. The gold finish gives it an ornate, luxurious appearance.

Troupeau d'Éléphants Dans Les Arbres, Les Enveloppes Des Alyscamps © François-Xavier Lalanne 2001

2. £7.9M for Francois Xavier Lalanne's Troupeau d'Éléphants Dans Les Arbres, Les Enveloppes Des Alyscamps

This gilded bronze elephant procession sold at Sotheby's New York in November 2024, almost doubling its high estimate. The composition - a dazzling arrangement of gold elephants surrounding a table supported by tree branches - represents one of Lalanne's most ambitious sculptural compositions. As such, it comes in eight separate parts. His use of gilded bronze lends the piece an opulent quality while connecting it to historical decorative traditions. Elephants appear occasionally in Lalanne's body of work, though rarely in such elaborate arrangements. The title, “Herd Of Elephants In The Trees, The Envelopes Of The Alyscamps,” references the ancient Roman necropolis in Arles that was also depicted by Van Gogh and Gauguin. The meticulous craftsmanship evident in both the individual elements and their integration into a cohesive whole exemplifies Lalanne's technical skill in his mature period.

A bronze sculpture of a leopard reclining on a rectangular wooden frame. The sleek feline form appears to be in a relaxed pose, with two legs tucked beside its body and its other two legs and tail hanging down into the frame. The leopard looks towards the viewer.

Léopard I © François-Xavier Lalanne 2005

3. £6.1M for Francois Xavier Lalanne's Léopard I

Continuing the trend of significantly exceeding estimates, Léopard I (2005) sold at a dedicated Lalanne auction at Sotheby's Paris in November 2021 for nearly 12 times its high estimate. The sale followed the Lalanne at Trianon exhibition at the Palace of Versailles in 2021, the positive effects of which are still being felt in Lalanne’s market. This bronze sculpture of a leopard leisurely reclining on a simple desk-shape was created in an edition of eight in 2005, making it one of Lalanne's final major sculptures before his death in 2008. Felines appear rarely in Lalanne's body of work compared to his more frequently depicted sheep, hippopotami, and birds, making this piece particularly uncommon and desirable for collectors. Lalanne and Claude were known to live a bohemian lifestyle, with art and animal-themed pieces all around their house - a fun environment that influenced both of their artworks and, in this case, imbued the leopard’s pose with a subtle humour.

A bronze sculpture depicting the mythological Minotaur. The figure stands upright on four legs with a stylised, elongated form and smooth texture. It has a human torso and a bull’s head. Its arms are very long, and the muscles of its abdomen are established by the connecting joins of sheet metal. It has a thick, curling tail.

Le Minotaure © François-Xavier Lalanne 2004