Claude Lalanne Love Seat 84x130x72 cm 1972-2011 Bronze and copper edition de 8
Claude Lalanne Comfortable Hairpin 86.5x45x43.5 cm 1972-2011 Bronze and copper edition de 8
Claude Lalanne Sitting in the Forest 87x155x82 cm 2017 Bronze edition de 8
Claude Lalanne Comfortable Hairpin 84x130x72 cm 1972-2011 Bronze and copper edition de 8
Claude Lalanne bambiloba II 104x122x82 cm 2005-2012 Bronze edition de 8
Claude Lalanne Snake Table 49x90 cm 1972-2017 Bronze and electroplated copper
Claude Lalanne Big Cave 180x180x66 cm 2000-2013 Bronze edition de 8

Text/Photos by Chen Chi-Hsiang. Dates: April 14 to May 27. Venue: Mitterrand Gallery.

"The highest art is the art of living."

Claude Lalanne (born 1924) and François-Xavier Lalanne (1927–2008) are France’s most famous and rare couple artists. Both received formal higher education in fine arts. Claude graduated from the École des Beaux-Arts de Paris and later from the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in architecture, while François-Xavier studied at the Julian Atelier in Montparnasse, focusing on drawing, sculpture, and painting. Together, they created exquisite and perfect artistic furniture and decorative objects under the name Lalanne. Their work is built on the concept that "the highest art is the art of living," serving as both artworks and functional household items.

Their creations draw inspiration from nature—François-Xavier favored animals, while Claude preferred plants and flowers. Through textures, lines, and shapes found in the natural world, this couple discovered a form of inspiration and complementarity. Claude’s work carries forward the Art Nouveau tradition of the last century, excelling in constructing furniture and decorative objects using the creeping vines, lines, and leaves of plants. Through her unique mastery of bronze molding and galvanizing techniques, her warm and gentle works and objects demonstrate an excellent and perfect state of nature.