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Lot 154
FRANÇOIS-XAVIER LALANNE (1927-2008)
Ganesh, 2007
Closed7 December 2022
Price Realised
USD 201,600
More Information
FRANÇOIS-XAVIER LALANNE (1927-2008)
Ganesh, 2007
patinated bronze
16 5/8 x 12 1/2 x 10 in. (42.2 x 31.8 x 25.4 cm)
monogrammed FXL, dated 2007, numbered EA 1/4 and with foundry mark bocquel fd.
Ganesh, 2007
patinated bronze
16 5/8 x 12 1/2 x 10 in. (42.2 x 31.8 x 25.4 cm)
monogrammed FXL, dated 2007, numbered EA 1/4 and with foundry mark bocquel fd.
FRANÇOIS-XAVIER LALANNE (1927-2008)
Ganesh, 2007
patinated bronze
16 5/8 x 12 1/2 x 10 in. (42.2 x 31.8 x 25.4 cm)
monogrammed FXL, dated 2007, numbered EA 1/4 and with foundry mark bocquel fd.
Ganesh, 2007
patinated bronze
16 5/8 x 12 1/2 x 10 in. (42.2 x 31.8 x 25.4 cm)
monogrammed FXL, dated 2007, numbered EA 1/4 and with foundry mark bocquel fd.
P. Mauriès, ed., Lalanne Bestiaires, Paris, 2022, p. 80 (for a related drawing)
François-Xavier Lalanne had always been drawn to surrealistic sculptures of antiquity, embodying the otherworldly figures of mythology and religion. His time as an attendant at the Louvre encouraged this fascination which carried on throughout his career as an artist. It was only natural for François to be drawn to the rich iconography and Hindu culture found on his trip to India with Claude.
It was upon their return that François created the present sculpture titled Ganesh portraying the revered Hindu god of the same name with the body of a man and head of an elephant. Standing on the god's leg is his 'vahana' or mount, the mouse Mooshak. The god is shown with a protruding belly, an important attribute resembling the entire cosmos (past, present and future) within him. His small eyes represent holistic thoughts and a focused mind while his large ears symbolize the need for more active listening.
Ganesha is known as the god of wisdom, purity, good luck and the remover of obstacles, and is popularly known as the son of Shiva and Parvati. Although there are numerous versions of how Ganesha received his elephant head, there is a common retelling of this story in which Ganesha originally had a human head. He was then beheaded by Shiva when Ganesha came between him and Pavarti, but then replaced it later on with the head of an elephant.
Ganesh embodies the most common characteristics of Les Lalannes, implementing animals into surrealistic subject matter. Claude designed the mouse companion making this sculpture an attractive example of both artists’ work.
It was upon their return that François created the present sculpture titled Ganesh portraying the revered Hindu god of the same name with the body of a man and head of an elephant. Standing on the god's leg is his 'vahana' or mount, the mouse Mooshak. The god is shown with a protruding belly, an important attribute resembling the entire cosmos (past, present and future) within him. His small eyes represent holistic thoughts and a focused mind while his large ears symbolize the need for more active listening.
Ganesha is known as the god of wisdom, purity, good luck and the remover of obstacles, and is popularly known as the son of Shiva and Parvati. Although there are numerous versions of how Ganesha received his elephant head, there is a common retelling of this story in which Ganesha originally had a human head. He was then beheaded by Shiva when Ganesha came between him and Pavarti, but then replaced it later on with the head of an elephant.
Ganesh embodies the most common characteristics of Les Lalannes, implementing animals into surrealistic subject matter. Claude designed the mouse companion making this sculpture an attractive example of both artists’ work.