Press article : A bird by Lalanne at auction - Nice Matin
A bird by Lalanne at auction - Nice Matin
- 4/13/25
- Paintings
- XX° century
L'oiseau bleu
From April18 to 21, Besch Cannes Auction will be taking over the Hôtel Martinez lounges for its 37th international Easter auction. Entitled ‘Hidden Treasures of the Côte d'Azur’, this Easter session brings together a precious selection of works from private collections, including modern paintings, remarkable sculptures, jewellery and fine wines. Among the most eagerly-awaited lots is a rare and highly sought-after sculpture by François-Xavier Lalanne (1927-2008), ‘Oiseau bleu’. Estimated at between 180000 and 200000 euros, this work in bronze with an antique blue-green patina and a steel ball in its beak was made in 1976 from a model designed in 1972. The current owner's father, an art lover close to Lalanne, acquired it directly from the artist. The iconic sculpture has remained in the family ever since, and will be offered for sale on April 20th.
François-Xavier Lalanne (1927-2008) - ‘Blue Bird’, 1976
Bronze with blue/green patina, steel ball - 17 x 30.5 x 12.2 cm
Estimate : 180000-200000 euros
Key artist of the 20th century, François-Xavier Lalanne is known for his poetic bestiary, ranging from his famous sheep to fish and birds, as well as more exotic animals such as rhinoceroses and ostriches. He also left his mark on the history of design with furniture sculptures that blend functionality and surrealism: toad armchairs, a hippopotamus bathtub, an ostrich bar, a rhinoceros secretary and a sardine-can sofa. These pieces have become cult items, collected by Pierre Bergé, Yves Saint Laurent, the Rothschilds and the Agnelli family. ‘When you can sit on a work of art, it becomes more familiar’, the artist liked to say. François-Xavier Lalanne is currently the second best-selling French artist in the world, behind Claude Monet. Some of his works regularly fetch more than a million euros, such as ‘Rhinocrétaire I’, which fetched a record 18.3€ million at Christie's in October 2023.
Other key works complete the sale catalogue. These include ‘Au bord du Nil’, an Art Deco statue by Egyptian sculptor Mahmoud Mokhtar, estimated at 150000 to 200000€; a canvas by Hans Hartung, valued at around 100000€; and a work by Robert Combas, ‘La petite fille à la tête de veau (1987)’, from the collection of La Colombe d'Or in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, estimated at 50000 to 60000€. The works, some of which come from an emblematic château in the Cannes hinterland, will be on public display at the Hôtel Martinez from 4pm on April 18th until the morning of April 20th.
Nice Matin - April Sunday 13th, 2025 - By Laurence GUIDICELLI
