Crocodile

by Claude Lalanne

Artist Claude Lalanne (Frankrike, 1924 - 2019)

Alternate Title

Fauteuil-crocodile
Krokodilfåtölj
Poltrona Coccodrillo

Date1987

MediumPatinerad brons och krokodilskinn

Dimensions82 x 78 x 62 cm

ClassificationSculptures

Credit LineDonation 2005 from Pontus Hultén

Countries

Frankrike

On view

Stockholm

RoomGallery 01:7

Object NumberMOM/2005/195

CollectionsThe Pontus Hultén Collection

About the artworkClaude Lalanne was a sculptor and designer. With her husband, she formed the creative duo Les Lalannes. They socialised in the bohemian circles of Paris and their friends included Surrealists such as Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst and Constantin Brâncuși. Alongside the art world, the fashion world was fascinated by her particular style; Yves Saint Laurent initiated a collaboration with her and collected her art. Using decorative forms derived from plant and animal life, she created furniture with links to Art Nouveau and Surrealism. The crocodile was a recurring motif in tables, candlesticks or, as here, in an armchair. It is said that the model for this piece was a crocodile that had died in a zoo and the same night, in full moon, was picked up by Lalanne and the artist Niki de Saint Phalle. The crocodile’s details were then cast in bronze directly from the carcass.
Selected exhibition history Den underjordiska himlen. Surrealism i Moderna Museets samling Moderna Museet, Stockholm Surrealism, samlingen (den 19 oktober 2024 - den 18 januari 2026) Moderna Museet, Stockholm

Works by the artist