The Apple of Desire Charms Paris: Claude Lalanne's Iconic Work Goes to Auction

Claude Lalanne's monumental golden apple sculpture, "La Pomme de New York" (2008, numbered 7/8, standing nearly 2.5 meters tall), is set to captivate audiences once more. Previously exhibited on Park Avenue in New York in 2010 and at the Trianon within the Château de Versailles park in 2021, this iconic piece is accustomed to grand settings. This time, it will be displayed in the courtyard of Le Bristol Paris before heading to Christie's auction on April 15th. With an estimated value of €5-7 million, its high appraisal comes as no surprise amid the flourishing "Lalanne-mania."

The apple motif has held a central place in Claude Lalanne's artistic practice since the 1960s. From her "Pomme-Bouche" to "Pomme-Montre," and now this New York-inspired variation, the subject has provided the artist with a fertile ground for experimentation, delicately balancing figuration, surrealism, and a playful sense of scale, ranging from the intimate to the truly spectacular.

As a special guest, Claude Lalanne's apple will grace one of the capital's most iconic establishments, Le Bristol Paris, located at 112 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and fresh from its centenary celebrations. According to Christie's press release, "La Pomme de New York will enter into dialogue with the history of a place deeply rooted in Parisian cultural life," promising a surreal and grand-scale interaction.

The timing is perfect for offering this work to the public, much like a true "fruit of desire." Interest in the works of the Lalanne couple has been skyrocketing for at least two years. In December, at Sotheby's New York, François-Xavier Lalanne's "Hippopotame Bar" shattered all initial estimates, setting a new global benchmark for design at $31.4 million. Similarly, in September, nine works by Les Lalannes from the Pauline Karpidas collection achieved a combined total of £13.6 million at Sotheby's, including Claude's "L’Unique Choupatte," which alone fetched £1.9 million—nearly five times its maximum estimate. The final verdict for "La Pomme de New York" now awaits at Christie's Paris.