The Gardens of Versailles Host Largest Ever Exhibition of Les Lalanne

One of the most dynamic artist couples of the 20th century, Les Lalanne were celebrated for their distinctive blend of fine and decorative arts, and a keen interest in nature and the organic. While Claude was deeply passionate about the botanical world, Francois-Xavier was drawn to the animal kingdom. In his words, “the animal world constitutes the richest and most varied forms on the planet.”

Through October 19, visitors are invited to roam through the estate of Trianon, a secluded area within the vast grounds of the Château de Versailles that was built by the former Kings of Versailles in an attempt to gain some respite from the main palace. Home to the Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, as well as the Queen’s Hamlet, the estate was designed in a rural, naturalist style that forms a perfect backdrop for the whimsical sculptures. The garden is most closely connected with Queen Marie-Antoinette, who commissioned the landscaped area centered around a hamlet of English-style thatched pavilions, the popular style of the day.

Among the highlights is a herd of 15 sheep, made by François-Xavier using bronze and epoxy, which seem to be grazing on the soft grass of the meadow. Dubbed “Moutons de Laine,” these celebrated sculptures were first presented with the title Pour Polytheme, a reference to a passage in Homer’s Odyssey that described how Ulysses and his men escaped from the cave of the cyclops Polyphemus by clinging to the bellies of his giant sheep. Les Lalanne’s early and longstanding patron Yves Saint Laurent was known to have enjoyed lounging on the sheep that he had installed in his own garden.

Another wonderful example to look out for is Choupatte (Géant), 2016, which depicts an oversized cabbage with chicken legs. Choupatte is amongst Claude’s most notorious works and a recurring theme that ran through her practice for decades. The duo’s cult-like following has grown exponentially in recent years and their collector base includes such luminaries as Peter Marino, Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, François Pinault, and Bernard Arnault. For those who are not able to travel to France, don’t miss the outdoor Les Lalanne exhibition at the Clark Museum in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

“Les Lalanne à Trianon” is on view through October 10, 2020. See more photos below.