Daniel Lelong, influential French gallerist, dies at 92
Daniel Lelong, a prominent French gallerist influential in the post-war art movement, has passed away at the age of ninety-two. Initially trained as a lawyer, he was brought on by Aimé Maeght to help create France's inaugural contemporary art foundation and museum, which launched in 1964. In 1961, Lelong transitioned from his role at the Conseil d'Etat to join Galerie Maeght, collaborating with notable artists such as Alexander Calder, Marc Chagall, and Joan Miró. Following Maeght's death in 1981, he co-founded Galerie Maeght-Lelong in Paris alongside Jacques Dupin and Jean Frémon, which was rebranded as Galerie Lelong & Co in 1987, expanding to New York and Zurich. Lelong also played a role in the Calder Foundation and initiated a collaboration with the French Tennis Federation for the French Open poster design.
Key facts
- Daniel Lelong died at age 92
- He was a lawyer by training
- Aimé Maeght invited him to help form France's first contemporary art foundation and museum (1964)
- He left the Conseil d'Etat in 1961 to join Galerie Maeght
- He co-founded Galerie Maeght-Lelong in 1981 with Jacques Dupin and Jean Frémon
- Galerie Lelong & Co opened branches in New York and Zurich
- Louise Bourgeois had her first European exhibition at the gallery in 1985
- Lelong served on the board of the Calder Foundation
- He sold multiple Calder works to Joseph H. Hirshhorn, now at the Hirshhorn Museum
- He initiated a partnership with the French Tennis Federation for the French Open poster
Entities
Artists
- Alexander Calder
- Marc Chagall
- Joan Miró
- Eduardo Chillida
- Antoni Tàpies
- Francis Bacon
- Louise Bourgeois
- Jannis Kounellis
- Pierre Alechinsky
- Gunther Förg
- Kiki Smith
Institutions
- Galerie Maeght
- Conseil d'Etat
- Galerie Maeght-Lelong
- Galerie Lelong & Co
- Calder Foundation
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
- French Tennis Federation
- French Open
Locations
- Paris
- New York
- Zurich
- Washington, D.C.