Claude Lalanne

Paul Kasmin Gallery, New York
Acquired from the above by the present owner, 2012

Claude & François-Xavier Lalanne, exh. cat., Ben Brown Fine Arts, London, 2013, pp. 53-55

Known for her innovation with sculpture and organic material, Claude Lalanne created surrealistic designs with function as its driving impetus. As a pillar of the Art Nouveau movement, she fashioned whimsical sculptures with inquisitive personality, equal parts classical and modern. Each model was imbued with curiosity and humor, attracting the attention of artists, architects and other designers alike. Alongside her independent projects, Lalanne produced unequaled pieces commissioned by some of the most creative minds of her generation including Salvador Dali, Serge Gainsbourg and Peter Marino. 

The present work encapsulates Lalanne’s unequivocable mastery of ethereal forms at the convergence of design and function. With its towering presence, this Unique Singe Douche in gilt bronze highlights the designer’s inclination towards playful depictions of flora and fauna. As a petite monkey with a wily smirk sits at the head of the shower, its tail carefully wraps itself around the perimeter, gently caressing the surface to connect at only a few key points. This delicateness exemplifies Lalanne’s skillful shaping of alloy materials.