Mitterrand gallery is delighted to participate in Gstaad Art 2025 with a selection of major works by Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne.
Vegetable structures are omnipresent in Claude Lalanne's work, and come in a variety of forms: candelabras, chandeliers, lanterns, mirrors and stair railings. True tributes to nature, these works testify to Claude Lalanne's ornamental and decorative genius. This year in Gstaad, the gallery presents a Lustre (2013) and a Miroir Hortensia (2009). Made in gilded bronze and galvanized copper, this chandelier features fifteen candles and is embellished with leaves and pomegranate berries. Made for a close friend, the Miroir Hortensia brings together Claude Lalanne's essential ornaments: birds, a butterfly, leaves and even hydrangea flowers. The combination of all these motifs is particularly rare in a mirror by the artist.
The booth continues outdoors at number 41 of the Promenade, where an Âne Planté by François-Xavier Lalanne is presented.
The donkey is a key figure in François-Xavier Lalanne's bestiary, having accompanied the artist's career from the 1970s until his death. The very first donkey, entitled Âne de Pompadour, was created by the artist for friends in 1973. This humorous, poetic work, part sculpture, part secretary, was as much an allusion to the famous Rhinocrétaire created a few years earlier as to the traditional bureau dos d'Âne (donkey-backed desk) in the classic repertoire of French decorative arts. This formal game was then repeated several times by François-Xavier Lalanne, who created the Âne de Nathalie (2007), based on the 1973 model but this time in bronze; an Âne Bâté (1985), equipped with saddlebags that open to serve as a bookcase or secretary; an Âne Attelé (1989), supplied with a cart that can be used as a planter and finally the Âne Planté (1990), exhibited in Gstaad this year, whose saddlebags can be used as planters.
Other major works by François-Xavier Lalanne will be presented on the stand, including the rare Grues Lumineuse, Oiseau de Jardin and the iconic Singe Attentif and Mouton de Laine.
