A Seller’s Guide to François Xavier Lalanne
Oiseau Bleu © François Xavier Lalanne 1975
Francois Xavier Lalanne
26 works
Key Takeaways
François Xavier Lalanne's prints have shown significant market strength since the artist’s passing in 2008, with individual pieces typically fetching between £2,000 and £15,000. Collections of etchings and engravings can command higher prices, with some rare editions achieving over £19,000 at auction. The record price for a single Lalanne print stands at £16,276 for Oiseau Bleu (1975). Authentication of Lalanne's prints requires careful examination of paper quality, printing technique, and provenance, with reference to gallery records and exhibition catalogues. Strategic timing of sales, such as during major retrospectives or following high-profile sculptural sales, can optimise returns for sellers, as evidenced by the market surge during the 2021 Lalanne at Triannon exhibition at the Palace of Versailles.
François Xavier Lalanne, one half of the artistic duo known as Les Lalanne, is primarily celebrated for his surrealist animal sculptures and functional art pieces. However, his work in printmaking, though less extensive, offers collectors a unique opportunity to own a piece of his whimsical artistic vision in a more accessible format. This guide aims to navigate the market for Lalanne's prints, providing insights into valuation, authentication, and effective selling strategies.
A blend of fantasy, functionality, and wit characterised Lalanne's artistic approach. His prints often reflect the same playful spirit found in his sculptures, featuring stylised animals and nature-inspired motifs. While Lalanne's sculptural works might dominate auction headlines, his prints have garnered increasing attention from collectors who appreciate the artist's distinctive aesthetic in a two-dimensional form.
Throughout his career, Lalanne collaborated with various printmaking studios, primarily in France. These partnerships resulted in limited edition lithographs and etchings that capture the essence of his three-dimensional works. The prints often showcase his most iconic designs, such as the sheep, hippopotamus, and various bird species, translated into the medium of paper and ink.
How Much do François Xavier Lalanne Prints Sell For?
A resurgence in interest in naive and whimsical art has meant that the market for François Xavier Lalanne's work continues to be strong. While his sculptural works command the highest prices, his prints offer a more accessible entry point for collectors interested in owning a piece of Lalanne's art.
Individual prints by Lalanne typically fetch between £2,000 and £15,000, depending on their rarity and how well they encapsulate his unique artistic vision. His most sought-after prints often feature his iconic animal designs, particularly those that mirror his famous sculptural works. For example, lithographs of his bird, fish, and cow designs tend to perform well.
With a few exceptions, Lalanne’s etchings and engravings achieve the highest sale prices. A collection of four Oiseau (1985) etchings, for example, holds the record for highest value achieved by a collection of Lalanne prints. They sold for £19,013 in 2019. An edition of the engraving Pomme Paysage (1975), also sold in 2019 for £14,692. This particular print is a perfect example of another of Lalanne’s signature styles - a landscape etched within the outline of an apple. Vache Paysage (1976), depicting a sunny countryside view within the outline of a cow, is another example.
The record price achieved by a single Lalanne print is £16,276 - a lithograph of Lalanne’s cheerful depiction of a blue bird holding a green berry in its beak, titled Oiseau Bleu (1975), sold from Dorothée Lalanne’s private collection in 2021. Lalanne's collaborative works with his wife, Claude, are also highly prized by collectors. Prints that showcase both artists' designs or that were created during their joint exhibitions often achieve premium prices due to their representation of the couple's shared artistic legacy.
How Do You Authenticate a François Xavier Lalanne Print?
The process of authenticating a Lalanne print begins with examination of the print's history of ownership and exhibition. When a print is published by an established print studio or publishing house, a certificate of authenticity is usually issued - this can be the most valuable piece of documentation when proving any print’s legitimacy. Similarly, gallery receipts from past sales should all be kept to trace how and when the print has changed hands.
Documentation should then be supported by published resources. While there is no comprehensive catalogue raisonné dedicated solely to Lalanne's prints, several key resources can aid in authentication. Exhibition catalogues from major retrospectives, such as the 2010 show at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, provide valuable documentation of Lalanne's printed works. Additionally, records from galleries that represented Les Lalanne, such as Paul Kasmin Gallery in New York and Gallerie Mitterand in Paris, can offer crucial information for verifying the authenticity of prints.
Edition & Signature
François Xavier Lalanne's approach to signing and numbering his prints varied throughout his career. His signature appears in a few different forms, often rendered as “F.Lalanne,” "F.X. Lalanne," or simply "FXL" in the lower right margin. The edition number is usually found in the lower left, written as a fraction, and sometimes accompanied by the print’s title. Lalanne also often included the year, written as “75,” or the exact date of printing, written as “14.3.75.”
Lalanne often produced his prints in small editions, typically ranging from 12 to 50 copies, which has helped maintain their value and desirability in the market. Unique prints, labelled “TP” (trial proof) or “EA” (épreuve d'artiste, or artist proof) are the highest-value prints in each edition as they are much rarer. In Lalanne’s case, he gave each of his artist-proofs a number. Even rarer prints are Lalanne’s “HC,” or Hors D’Commerce, prints. These prints were never intended for sale, likely given as gifts to friends and family, and are generally identified by provenance, as they don’t always have edition numbers. Most of the top 10 highest-value Lalanne print auction sales have been EA, TP, or HC prints.
Browse Francois Xavier Lalanne prints on the Trading Floor and find out more about the print market growth on the MAB100 Print Index.
Looking to Sell Your François Xavier Lalanne Prints?
Request a free and zero obligation valuation with our team without hesitation. Track your prints & editions with MyPortfolio.
Has Your François Xavier Lalanne Print Been Kept in Good Condition?
When assessing a Lalanne print, examine the paper for discolouration, fading, or foxing, especially around the edges. Yellowing or brittleness can indicate exposure to sunlight or improper storage. Many Lalanne prints also incorporate embossing or relief elements, both to mimic sculptural textures and as a result of his chosen methods of printing. Examine these areas for flattening, creasing, or damage that might compromise the intended effect. For prints with hand-colouring or additional elements, preservation of these unique touches is crucial.
We recommend storing prints flat, in acid-free portfolios, away from direct sunlight and fluctuating humidity. If framed, use UV-protective glass and acid-free matting to prevent light damage and acid migration. Ensure framing allows adequate space for embossed or relief elements.
Professional conservation should be undertaken carefully to preserve the print's integrity. Overzealous cleaning or restoration can alter the delicate balance of colours and textures, potentially diminishing both aesthetic appeal and market value. For a thorough assessment, consult a paper conservator specialising in 20th-century prints or familiar with Lalanne's work.
For advice on how to get started with condition assessment of your Francois Xavier Lalanne print, contact MyArtBroker.
When is the Best Time to Sell My Francois Xavier Lalanne Print?
The market for Lalanne’s prints has grown steadily after an initial spike following his passing in 2008. Now, print value and collector demand can be influenced by general market trends, significant anniversaries, prestigious exhibitions, and high-profile sales of Lalanne’s sculptural works.
Major exhibitions or retrospectives focusing on Les Lalanne often generate increased interest. For example, the Les Lalanne: Makers of Dreams exhibition at Ben Brown Fine Arts in London in 2022 reignited interest in Les Lalanne’s artistic legacy. The greatest surge in high-value print sales, however, came during the Lalanne at Triannon sculptural exhibition at the Palace of Versailles in 2021. In the final month of this display, two sculptures sold for the second and third highest prices ever achieved by a Lalanne work. Together, these factors created a halo effect that was felt across Lalanne’s print market, too.
We recommend tracking market trends related to French post-war art or the intersection of fine art and design. Additionally, the growing appreciation for functional ‘furniture’ art has the power to positively impact Lalanne’s market performance. Monitoring sales results and value trajectory reports from major auction houses and galleries is often the most effective way to assess the current market. These resources can provide insights into which periods or themes of Lalanne's printmaking are currently in highest demand. For instance, if there's a surge of interest in Lalanne's animal-themed works, it might be an opportune time to sell prints featuring his iconic sheep or hippopotamus designs.
MyArtBroker offers advanced art tech tools to help you determine the optimal time to sell. Our MyPortfolio service features an AI-powered value indicator that provides real-time valuations of individual prints based on both public and private sales data. Combined with our complimentary valuations, we can help ensure your print achieves maximum value by selling at the perfect moment.
Ways to Sell with MyArtBroker
At MyArtBroker, our specialists provide a free market valuation for your artwork, offering a level of transparency unmatched in today’s market. In addition to our valuations, through our online Trading Floor, you can access real-time insights into works by the artist you’re looking to sell, including pieces that are most in demand, wanted, or currently for sale: allowing sellers to trust the valuation that they are provided.
Additionally, the MyPortfolio collection management service grants you free access to our comprehensive print market database. This resource allows you to review auction histories for the specific work you’re looking to sell, including hammer prices, values paid, and seller returns. In a fluctuating market, this historical data is invaluable - and often comes at a cost elsewhere - offering insights into past and current values to further inform decisions based on market timing and conditions. In addition to our specialists guidance, you have concrete data.
Our approach is tailored to align with the unique attributes of each artwork, and offer optimal results:
How a Private Sale Works
Unlike peer-to-peer platforms, which lack specialised expertise, authenticity guarantees, and legal infrastructure for high-value sales, MyArtBroker operates through private sales ensuring a secure and seamless transaction process. We charge sellers 0% to sell, and take a small commission from our buyers, absorbing essential aspects including insurance, shipping, and marketing - at no extra cost to the seller. There is no magic to it, we’re a lean specialised business with less overheads than traditional models meaning we can do better for our clients.
Our revenue is derived from buyer commissions only, which are individually negotiated upon offer, and we aim to give the client the best return in the market place. By focusing on high-value artworks in excess of £10,000, we provide specialised care and expertise, ensuring each piece receives the attention it deserves, while simultaneously maximising returns with our clients. For works that fall below this threshold speak to the team about a recommendation, we offer market advisory free of charge. Our goal at MyArtBroker is to offer a seamless solution, setting us apart in the art market.
Advisory and Recommendations
In cases for artists and artworks, where our existing network of collectors isn’t the best fit due to value, medium or condition we collaborate with reputable partners to facilitate its sale. Carefully tailoring your artwork to the right party. This tailored approach is especially important as it considers the unique attributes of each artwork, providing sellers with the best possible outcome in today’s shifting art market. You can discuss this approach with us without charge as part of our advisory service.
Such recommendations are on a case-by-case basis, and ensures broader exposure and takes advantage of our knowledge of where a work will do best.
François Xavier Lalanne Collection Management with MyPortfolio
In addition to our live trading floor, MyArtBroker's MyPortfolio serves as a collection management system, empowering collectors to curate and oversee their prints and editions collection. This feature grants users access to our print market database, uniquely tied to our proprietary algorithm, SingularityX. This algorithm scans and analyses both public auction and private sales data to determine real time valuations of individual print works, factoring in various aspects such as condition, colour, and other factors affecting value.
Read What Powers MyArtBroker's Technology? In Conversation With Stuart Jamieson, Financial Quant to learn more about our algorithm.
