Noted French art dealer Daniel Lelong, aged 92, passes away.

Living a Remarkable Life: Daniel Lelong, the Influential French Gallerist

Daniel Lelong, a prominent figure in the world of art, bid farewell at the tender age of 92. According to Mary Sabbatino, vice-president and partner at Galerie Lelong & Co., "He lived a long, good life." Working alongside Lelong since 1990, Sabbatino described the loss as "sad, but not a tragedy."

"It's always hard, but he had a big life," Sabbatino shared with our website. "He really enjoyed his life. You could feel that all the time. He always had a smile. He was a positive person, always looking on the bright side."

Jean Fremon, the gallery's CEO and remaining original partner, echoed similar sentiments, stating in an email, "Daniel and I have been business partners for the last 50 years. Anyone who knew Daniel would remember him as a warm and enthusiastic person."

Hailing from Nancy, France, born in 1933, Lelong began his career in law before being called to draft the statutes of the first contemporary art foundation and museum, the Marguerite and Aimé Maeght Foundation. Lelong considered this endeavor a "thrilling adventure." "There was no model for such status: no contemporary art or modern art foundation existed in France, back then," he said in a 2014 interview with Flash Art.

After this incredible beginning, Lelong took a leave from his civil servant position and committed to the Galerie Maeght full-time. His responsibilities included administrative tasks and overseeing exhibitions for artists such as Joan Miró, Alexander Calder, Marc Chagall, Alberto Giacometti, Antoni Tàpies, Francis Bacon, and Eduardo Chillida.

In 1981, with Maeght's unfortunate demise, Lelong took over as director of Galerie Maeght-Lelong alongside Jean Frémon and Jacques Dupin. They later transformed the gallery into Galerie Lelong & Co. in 1987, and expanded the business to New York and Zurich.

Throughout his career, Lelong forged deep relationships with artists such as Jaume Plensa, Jannis Kounellis, and Sean Scully. He also made significant sales to major collectors like Norman Braman, Joseph H. Hirshhorn, and Jon Shirley. Many works in the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C. came from Lelong himself.

A passionate lover of life and art, Lelong also found joy outside the gallery, particularly in music and singing. He gave concerts and gifted French singer Léo Ferré's album to several colleagues. Another unique venture of Lelong's was collaborating with the French Tennis Federation and the Roland Garros Committee to bring art to the legendary French Open.

Notably, Lelong's focus was solely on fostering the primary market for his artists. Despite the opportunity to re-sell famous works by artists like Miró and Calder, he declined. As Sabbatino put it, "That's another career, and that's not for me."

While Lelong's health deteriorated in the last few days, he spent his final years surrounded by happiness. "I spoke to him on his birthday," Sabbatino recalled. "They were singing. He had champagne. He looked on the bright side of everything."

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OverallDaniel Lelong was a successful and influential French gallerist, who played a significant role in the development and proliferation of contemporary art. Here's a summary of his career timeline and achievements:

Early Years

Lelong initially pursued a career in law and worked for the Conseil d'Etat in Paris.
In 1961, he joined Galerie Maeght and primarily handled administrative duties and exhibition planning.

Career Highlights

Lelong exhibited renowned artists like Alexander Calder, Marc Chagall, Joan Miró, Francis Bacon, and Antoni Tàpies during his tenure at Galerie Maeght.
Following Aimé Maeght's death in 1981, Galerie Maeght-Lelong was founded with Jean Frémon and Jacques Dupin, and later renamed Galerie Lelong & Co in 1987.
The expansion into New York and Zurich showcased artists like Louise Bourgeois, Jannis Kounellis, and Kiki Smith.
Lelong was instrumental in the creation of a partnership between the French Tennis Federation and Galerie Lelong & Co, leading to various contemporary artists designing the official French Open posters over the years.

Achievements and Legacy

Lelong played an essential role in shaping the prominence of modern and contemporary art in Europe and the world.
He served on the board of the Calder Foundation and played a crucial role in selling works by Calder to major collectors, many of which ended up at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C.
Apart from his gallery work, Lelong was a passionate music lover and held concerts. He was also known for giving away French singer Léo Ferré's albums as gifts.
Lelong's work focuses primarily on the primary market for artists.`

The influential French gallerist, Daniel Lelong, curated numerous contemporary art exhibitions at Galerie Lelong & Co, showcasing esteemed artists such as Joan Miró, Alexander Calder, and Jannis Kounellis.
In a bid to expand his gallery's reach, Lelong led the creation of partnerships, for instance, partnering with the French Tennis Federation and the Roland Garros Committee to bring art to the French Open.
As a revered figure in the art world, Lelong formed significant connections with celebrities and notable collectors like Norman Braman, Joseph H. Hirshhorn, and Jon Shirley, making substantial sales to them.
Although Lelong had the opportunity to resell famous works by artists like Miró and Calder, he chose to focus on fostering the primary market for his artists instead, declining resales.
Stepping into the music realm, Lelong was an enthusiastic singer and organizer of concerts, even going as far as gifting French singer Léo Ferré's album to several of his colleagues.
Throughout his remarkable life, Lelong enjoyed a line of magnificent achievements, including the opening of Galerie Lelong & Co in both New York and Zurich and his instrumental role in the creation of a partnership between the French Tennis Federation and his gallery, impacting the presence of art within the entertainment industry.