Daniel Lelong
Daniel Lelong | |
---|---|
![]() Lelong in 2012 | |
Born | 9 November 1933 |
Died | 4 June 2025 (aged 91) |
Education | Sciences Po |
Occupation(s) | Gallerist Publisher |
Daniel Lelong (9 November 1933 – 4 June 2025) was a French gallerist of modern art and book publisher.[1] He served as president of the Galerie Maeght and the Galerie Lelong until 2012, when he was succeeded by Jean Frémon.
Biography
[edit]Born in Nancy in 1933, Lelong was the son of a government official. He studied at the Collège-lycée Jacques-Decour in Paris and the Sciences Po. After his studies, he worked for the Conseil d'État, becoming acquainted with several French political figures, such as Pierre Mendès France.[2]
During the Algerian War, Lelong was the secretary to the wife of General Jacques Massol . In 1960, he returned to Paris, where he met Aimé Maeght. The two worked together on the construction of the Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul-de-Vence.[2] He then left the civil service for good to direct the Galerie Maeght, located in Paris.[3] The gallery hosted artists such as Joan Miró, Alexander Calder, Antoni Tàpies, Paul Rebeyrolle, and Francis Bacon. After Maeght's death, he co-directed the gallery alongside Jean Frémon and Jacques Dupin. In 1987, he attempted to rename it to the Galerie Lelong, but lost a legal battle against Maeght's son, forcing him to return the gallery to its original name.[2] Under his leadership, the gallery would go on to host artists such as Pierre Alechinsky, Louise Bourgeois, Sarah Grilo,[4] Jannis Kounellis, Sean Scully, Kiki Smith, and Jaume Plensa. In 1980, he worked alongside artists to create the official poster for the French Open.[5] In 1982, he chose the artists to design the poster for the World Cup. In the 2000s, the contemporary art market was booming, growing the gallery's sales rapidly.[6] In 2018, he opened a new second gallery on the Avenue Montaigne in Paris.[7]
Daniel Lelong died on 4 June 2025, at the age of 91.[8]
Distinctions
[edit]- Knight of the Legion of Honour
- Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (2010)[9]
Books
[edit]- Calder, the Artist, the Work (1971)
- Adami : 89 (1989)
- Avec Calder (2000)
- Avec Miro (2013)
References
[edit]- ^ Azimi, Roxana (5 June 2025). "Daniel Lelong, marchand d'art, est mort". Le Monde (in French). Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ a b c Azimi, Roxana (16 April 2004). "Daniel Lelong - Galeriste". Le Journal des arts (in French). Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Dumas, Carole (2 September 2018). "« J'ai rencontré Aimé Maeght et quitté le Conseil d'État »". Le Dauphiné libéré (in French). Aubenas. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "Sarah Grilo". Galerie Lelong (in French).
- ^ Gandillot, Thierry (19 May 2010). "Roland-Garros s'affiche". Les Echos (in French). Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Colonna-Césari, Annick (16 February 2006). "L'art remonte la cote". L'Express (in French). Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Terouinard, Zoé (5 October 2023). "Galerie Lelong". Time Out (in French). Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Ho, Karen K. (5 June 2025). "Influential French Gallerist Daniel Lelong Dies at 92". ARTnews. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "Nomination ou promotion dans l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres Janvier 2010". Ministry of Culture (in French).
External Links
[edit]- Daniel Lelong at IMDb
- Daniel Lelong discography at Discogs