Histoires Naturelles exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs - Pictures

From April 14 to May 29, 2022, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs displays an exhibition within the nave, called “Histoires Naturelles, Dation François-Xavier et Claude Lalanne” shining a light the admission of 16 pieces of work and 38 drawings by the famous couple into the museum’s collections. Do not miss the exceptional musical event provided without extra cost, this Saturday May 7 in the nave and the famous Museums Night on Saturday May 14.

The Musée des Arts Décoratifs gets 16 extra major pieces of work and 38 drawings by French artist couple Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne. To mark the occasion, the museum decided to shine a light on them from April 14 to May 29, 2022, through an exhibition displayed in the nave.

Discover the “Histoires Naturelles, Dation François-Xavier et Claude Lalanne au Musée des Arts Décoratifs” exhibitions offering a new look on the works of these two artists already displayed in the museum collections, and pieces in relationship bringing more historic background. For instance, discover the famous blue earthenware hippopotamus from the Egyptian collections of the Louvre focusing on 60 years of creations, from the 1960’s to 2019.

You should note the Musée des Arts Décoratifs is one of the first institutions to have given them pride of place and genuine public acknowledgment, especially thanks to the “Les Lalanne” exhibition in 2010.

The Lalannes are often considered as one and only artist. Their uncategorizable sculptures are inspired by the fauna and flora. Among the 16 new works enriching the museum’s collections, 9 of them are by François-Xavier Lalanne including two exclusive pieces: La Mouche (1966-1967) and L’Hippopotame (1968-1969) including a washstand and a bathtub. Here are two major pieces from his work showing the all artistry behind, its inscription in history of sculpture, sense of movement and certain sense of poetry and humor.

Discover some great quality pieces by the couple too such as the golden mouth necklace, the Ronces necklace, a piece of silver cutlery known as lolas by Claude Lalanne, as well as the Le Rhinocrétaire II, a masterpiece by François-Xavier Lalanne, and Claude Lalanne’s Crocodile bench.

In the main alley of the nave, the tour will take you on the discovery of new pieces from the gift, allowing you to discover their processes, evolutions, and iconic pieces. They are all displayed on checkered stands for a minimalist staging, exchanging with the museum’s pieces echoing the two artists’ universe.

On Saturday May 7, an exceptional musical event awaits all day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., without extra cost. On the occasion, the museum invites Clément Mao-Tackacs for a musical journey into the Lalannes’ animal, green and magical universe. Performed by the musicians from the Secession Orchestra, namely a lyric piano-voice duet, this event expects you in the antechamber of the nave. On the menu, French music from the 20th century, from Saint-Saëns to Poulenc and Milhaud and Debussy.

Another major event, Museums Night on Saturday May 14, allowing you for the night to discover the famous exhibition.