Auction introduction: This October, Sotheby’s Paris will offer 19 sculptures by Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne, rediscovered in Ury, the last artworks remaining in their private collection. The treasure trove had remained hidden in a separate room in one of the buildings that made up their home, the door long-concealed by large bronze bulls, among François-Xavier’s largest, and heaviest, creations. The offering includes some of the artists’ most iconic designs as well as lesser-known and unique creations. Together, the capsule collection perfectly captures the inimitable spirit of Les Lalanne. Prior to the auction, the sculptures were photographed in the captivatingly beautiful gardens of the Château de Courances, a short drive from Les Lalanne’s home, in a tribute to their mastery of the natural world and their constant engagement with the world around them.