FRANÇOIS-XAVIER LALANNE | Three "Grands Moutons de Peter"

each numbered 2 from an edition of 8 plus 4 artist's proofs

Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner, 2005

Reed Krakoff, Ben Brown and Paul Kasmin, Claude & François-Xavier Lalanne, exh. cat., Paul Kasmin Gallery, New York and Ben Brown Fine Arts, London, 2006, p. 62 
Paul Kasmin, Claude & François-Xavier Lalanne, Art, Work, Life, New York, 2012, n.p. (for related sheep models in bronze)
Brad Goldfarb, Peter Marino: Art Architecture, New York, 2016, p. 53 (for the models photographed in situ in the garden of Peter Marino)
Delphine and Reed Krakoff, Houses That We Dreamt Of: The Interiors of Delphine and Reed Krakoff, New York, 2017, pp. 51, 142-143, 145 and 147
Peter Marino, The Garden of Peter Marino, New York, 2017, n. p. (for the models photographed in situ in the garden of Peter Marino)

Overall in very good condition. The "brebis" and two "belier" together constitute the complete second edition of a limited edition of 8. Each sheep is positioned in a slightly different posture, creating a charming, dynamic relationship within the herd, and the sculptures have a striking visual presence when viewed firsthand. The sheep were originally executed with a gilt surface, which has largely been diminished due to prolonged exposure to the outdoor elements. Some traces of the original gilding are visible in the recessed contours of the design, particularly beneath the curved horns of each of the rams. (If desired the surfaces could be re-gilt by a professional metalwork conservator.) The sheep display an array of bronze hues and have been recently professionally cleaned and waxed to bring out the richness of the bronze surfaces. The sides and feet display occasional inflections of blue tones, which add complexity to the metallic surface. The sheep were executed with a subtle textural thatched surface, evoking the texture of wool, and present with some minor scuffing and surface scratches throughout, some inherent to production and otherwise consistent with age, gentle use, and exposure. The bronze surfaces with some minor surface irregularities inherent in the making and not visually distracting, and with some occasional minor areas of wear and oxidation scattered on the sheep's heads, backs, and sides, which are consistent with age and likely the result of prior outdoor installation. These bronze sheep are very well-preserved and ideal for an outdoor installation, a setting for which they were originally conceived. Inspired by and named after the famed architect and designer, Peter Marino, the "Grands Moutons de Peter" series by Francois-Xavier Lalanne represents the culmination of the artist's "Mouton" series. The present offering represents the debut of this rare series at auction, and presents collectors with a rare opportunity to acquire a complete edition from this whimsical and evocative series.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Sotheby’s would like to thank Peter Marino for his assistance in the research and preparation of this catalogue entry.



Peter Marino’s Golden Fleece
The “Grands Moutons de Peter” Series by François-Xavier Lalanne

In 2004, Peter Marino, a passionate collector of the Lalannes’ work, inspired François-Xavier Lalanne to execute a new sheep series—an original variant of the iterations produced by the French artist over the past four decades. These sheep, created at the initiative of the famed American architect and designer, were made of gilt bronze in a limited edition of eight. Each edition is comprised of three different forms: one ewe, one ram facing left, and one ram facing forward. 

The context and inspiration behind the series is unusual and reaffirms the strong friendship that united Marino and the Lalannes for many years. The “Grands Moutons de Peter” (“Peter’s Grand Sheep”), as they were soon called, were not only named for Marino, they are the product of his creative influence. They are the artistic manifestation of an exchange of ideas and creativity, sparked in part by the many summers that Marino and the Lalannes spent together at their respective residences in Ury and Southampton. There was a time when the Lalannes used to visit Marino in Southampton every summer, a residence with glorious gardens that is now home to the largest collection of Lalanne sculptures in the United States. “They saw the garden grow to its present size and they contributed enormously to what it ultimately became,” wrote Marino in his 2017 book The Garden of Peter Marino. “A major component of the garden is the forty-two sculptures by Claude and François-Xavier that have been placed around the property’s twelve acres. About half of the sculptures were commissioned for the garden.”

The “Grands Moutons de Peter” were one of such commissions—one that was conceptualized during a verbal exchange between François-Xavier Lalanne and Marino. When François-Xavier asked him, “What could I make for you that is truly special?”, Peter responded that since childhood he had always been fascinated with the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece from Greek mythology. The legend, one that emphasized the power of healing and perseverance, has been a source of inspiration for Marino throughout his life. He had a clear picture in his mind of a full flock of sheep with shimmering bodies mirroring the golden-woolled fleece of the mythological creatures that filled his imagination. Lalanne was delighted with the idea and said he would make them, executed entirely in gilt bronze, and that they would be named for Marino.

The question of quantity soon arose. Lalanne, in a preparatory sketch, had designed three sheep per edition—two males and one female. Marino specifically requested three editions of the three to total nine sheep—his lucky number. Lalanne ultimately produced eight editions plus four artist proofs, which have entered other private collections. The project, initiated in 2004, took several years for Lalanne to complete, and the eighth edition was not executed until 2007.

Given the limited number of editions in this series, the present offering of two rams and a ewe (lot 10) represents a particularly rare and exciting opportunity to collectors. Indeed, the present offering marks the debut of the “Grands Moutons de Peter” series at auction. These large-scaled sheep are enlivened with simplified, delightfully expressive features, and each sheep is positioned in a slightly different pose, creating charming variety and dynamism within the herd. They represent the culmination of decades of continuous exploration and refinement of what is arguably Lalanne’s most iconic form.