François-Xavier Lalanne

Acquired directly from the artist in 1989

Robert Rosenblum, Les Lalanne, Geneva, 1991, p. 60, for a comparable model

The bear is one of the oldest animal figures represented in the history of art. As early as Prehistory, most notably in the Chauvet Cave, it appears as a fascinating creature, embodying strength, protection, and wisdom, transcending centuries and civilizations. In the fables of Jean de La Fontaine, the bear represents generous strength, albeit sometimes lacking discernment. A great lover of literature, François-Xavier Lalanne often drew inspiration from this rich narrative tradition, where animals become fully fledged characters imbued with distinct personalities and symbolic meaning. Petit Ours thus belongs to this enduring cultural lineage, reinterpreted by the artist with poetry, wit, and humanity, transforming this iconic animal into a presence that is at once monumental and deeply sensitive.