François-Xavier Lalanne

Respectively known as Singe I and Singe II, these charismatic figures are among François-Xavier Lalanne’s most beloved bestiaries and epitomize the outstanding practice of the celebrated animalier sculptor. Designed to rest on a ledge, the Singes are characterized by their slender sweeping tails and stoic elegance. The combination of playfulness and vigilance which is so masterfully conveyed through their facial expressions is a trademark of Lalanne's work, contributing to the sculptures' approachability and irresistible charm. 

The sculptor ended up producing a wide range of monkey-inspired subjects throughout his career. The Babouin fireplace and the Gorille de Sûreté safe, both introduced in the early 1970s, serve a utilitarian purpose that the artist eventually departed from in his later, more sculptural works such as the Singe Avisé, Singe Attentif and Singe I and II.

Indeed, monkeys held a special place in François-Xavier Lalanne’s bestiary. While he claimed that animals in general were at the center of his artistic vocabulary because of the great variety of forms provided by the zoological world, monkeys in particular were reminiscent of the dignified Egyptian deities he once contemplated while working as a guard in the Egyptian and Assyrian art galleries at the Louvre. Lalanne infused his own monkeys with a hieratic dignity similar to ancient statuary, as evidenced in the poised posture and nonchalant assurance of the two present Singes. 

While Lalanne explored this model in a variety of different patina colorations, it is undeniably the “gold monkey” that is most revered and sought-after by collectors today. The present offering provides Lalanne collectors with a unique opportunity to acquire a pair of this highly desirable icon by the artist in superb condition.