Francois-Xavier Lalanne (1927-2008), Sheeps, unique work

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. Depicting three sheeps, it is the sketch which was realized to serve as model for the print The Sheep (part of François Xavier Lalanne's Bestiaire nécessaire, a 2004 limited porfolio). Hand signed by François Xavier Lalanne, in perfect condition. Provenance : gift of François-Xavier Lalanne to a close friend ; then private collection.The sheep is the most famous and iconic animal of François Xavier Lalanne’s bestiary.
With his wife Claude, Francois Xavier Lalanne (1908-2008) is the most famous French sculptor of the second half of the twentieth century. His work is characterized by the animal imagery. He studied art at the Académie Julian in Paris. When he arrived in the city, he was introduced to many Surrealist and Modernist figures, such as Man Ray, Max Ernst, Marcel Duchamp, Niki de Saint Phalle, Jean Tinguely, and Constantin Brancusi. He is particularly known for his sheeps, rams, birds and hens. Supported by gallerists like Alexandre Iolas, Leo Castelli, Paul Kasmin and Ben Brown, his work was early collected by great connoisseurs, among whom Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Bergé, Karl Lagerfeld, Peter Marino, Valentino,Terry de Gunzburg, Alberto Pinto, the Rothschilds, the Noailles, Jane Holzer, Michael Shvo, Georges Pompidou, Roman Abramovich, Jacques Grange.

Year: 2004
Dimensions : 21 x 30 cm (8,27 x 11,81 inches)
Material and techniques : Paper