Gigantic Bronze Rhinoceros Statue Created by Francois-Xavier Lalanne Fetches $16.4 Million at Sotheby's Auction
In a thrilling auction, Francois-Xavier Lalanne's iconic sculpture, "Grand Rhinocéros II," found a new home at Sotheby's Important Design day sale in New York on June 11. The life-size, gold patinated bronze, brass, and leather desk in the shape of a rhino, measuring more than four-feet wide, 8.5-feet in length, and two feet in height, was the highlight of the sale.
The bidding war, which lasted 45 rounds, culminated in the sculpture being hammered at $13.75 million, or $16.422 million with fees. This price far surpassed the pre-sale estimate of $3 million to $5 million.
The sculpture, the first edition out of eight, was acquired by the current owners in 2003 from Galerie Mitterand in Paris. Interestingly, the seventh edition of the same sculpture sold for €5.5 million with fees at Sotheby's Paris on May 22, 2022.
The strong demand for Lalanne's work was predicted by art advisor Laura Lester prior to the sale. Lester's foresight was well-founded, as the sale of "Grand Rhinocéros II" marks the second-highest sale for Francois-Xavier Lalanne, surpassing the previous sale of his "Bar aux Autruches" (1967-1968).
The results indicate ongoing, strong demand for works by Francois-Xavier and his wife Claude Lalanne. This demand is evident despite a decline in the artists' primary market due to the sale of more than 700 pieces from the private collections of Les Lalanne and their two daughters.
It is worth noting that the highest selling piece by François-Xavier Lalanne is the 1964 Rhinocrétaire I, which sold for €18.33 million ($19.4 million) at Christie's Paris in 2023[1]. Another notable sale was a rhinoceros desk by Lalanne that brought $19.8 million at Sotheby's, which likely refers to the same or a very similar key work by the artist[2].
While "Grand Rhinocéros II" has set a new record for Francois-Xavier Lalanne, the 1964 Rhinocrétaire I remains the most expensive Lalanne piece sold at auction, with a price near $19.4–19.8 million. Other significant sales by Lalanne include the "Le Métaphore (Canard-Bateau)" and the "Rhinocéros Bleu," which fetched $667,800 and $327,600, respectively[1].
References: [1] Artnet News [2] The Art Newspaper
- The contemporary art market continues to showcase a strong preference for the work of Francois-Xavier Lalanne, as proven by the hammer price of $16.422 million for his "Grand Rhinocéros II" sculpture at the recent Sotheby's auction.
- The high demand for Lalanne's sculptures is evident in both the primary and secondary markets, with his works being highly sought after by galleries, collectors, and exhibition enthusiasts.
- With an auction price of $19.4 million, the 1964 sculpture "Rhinocrétaire I" by Francois-Xavier Lalanne remains the most expensive Lalanne piece, eclipsing the record set by "Grand Rhinocéros II."
- In the world of fine art and entertainment, a painting or sculpture by the Lalannes often becomes the centerpiece of a collector's modern or contemporary art collection.
- The sale of Francois-Xavier Lalanne's works, such as his "Le Métaphore (Canard-Bateau)" and "Rhinocéros Bleu," at prices over half a million dollars, underscores the enduring value of these fine art pieces.
- The art market continues to evolve, and the enduring appeal of artists like Francois-Xavier and Claude Lalanne ensures a vibrant and exciting landscape for collectors, enthusiasts, and the art world at large.
