Dame Claude Lalanne (1925 - 10 avril 2019)
Dame Claude Lalanne, the French artist who crafted surrealistic jewelry & sculptures died early Wednesday morning in Fontainebleau, France.
She initially studied architecture before a pivotal encounter with the painter Francois-Xavier Lalanne in 1952, with whom she fell in love and married in 1967. After their marriage, each turned to sculpture as their creative medium of choice, going on to work collaboratively as ‘Les Lalanne’
With her husband, François-Xavier Lalanne, who predeceased her in December 2008, Dame Claude Lalanne was successful with the fashion world, being granted commissions from the likes of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, Hubert de Givenchy and Karl Lagerfel.
While often considered a team, Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne seldom worked together, although their art bore a similar aesthetic. Her creations were often organic in shape, inspired by nature — flora and fauna — whereas his mostly took the form of animals.
Her influence on fashion is ongoing. Ludovic de Saint Sernin’s men’s fall 2019 collection, for instance, included ceramic molds of body parts, nodding to the artist.
“Dimetrodon II” c. 1998, (Collaboration with François-Xavier)
“L'Homme à la tête de chou” (The Man with the Cabbage Head) c. 1968
“Crocodile Armchair” c. 2016,
“Choupatte” (very big) c. 2008-2012, Image courtesy Ben Brown
“Ginkgo Chair II” c. 2018, Courtesy Ben Brown Fine Arts
Cutlery Model made for Alexandre Iolas, c. 1966. Photo by Alexandre Baillache
Yves Saint Laurent, Claude Lalanne and models wearing the Haute Couture A/W69 collection with sculpted busts and waists by Claude Lalanne
“Frames,” Artcurial, c. 1990 (Courtesy Wright Auction House)
“Collerette” Earrings c. 1980-1989 (Sotheby’s)
