François-Xavier Lalanne (1927-2008), Bélier, 2008

In 1965, at the Salon de la Jeune Peinture, François-Xavier Lalanne exhibited an impressive flock of twenty-four bronze and wool sheep on wheels. Called “Pour Polyphème” (For Polyphemus), this flock of interlocking, sometimes headless animals were very sensational. Many versions of this model followed, some of which could be fit for outdoor use. The museum’s 2008 group of Nouveaux moutons (New Sheep) in bronze and epoxy resin proves that this subject matter -that became emblematic of his work- has been dealt with for a long time.