Founded in 1970 by Basel-based gallerists, Art Basel now hosts the leading art fairs for Modern and Contemporary art in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, Paris, and Qatar. Returning to its hometown, the 2026 edition of Art Basel brings together 290 galleries from 43 countries and territories. Activating the city as a whole, Art Basel expands across Messe Basel, public spaces, and leading institutions, anchoring a major week of exhibitions and cultural events throughout Basel and the wider region.
Showcasing a diverse range of galleries representing historical, modern, postwar, contemporary, and emerging practices, Art Basel offers a snapshot of the global art scene at a specific moment, bringing together different generations, regions, and artistic styles within a single exhibition. Over the first four days of the fair, Galerie has curated a selection of must-see masterworks displayed at several of the top international galleries in this year's edition.
4. François-Xavier Lalanne | Ben Brown Fine Arts
A renowned French sculptor and engraver, François-Xavier Lalanne is known for his playful, surreal animal sculptures that serve as both functional furniture and decorative pieces. In collaboration with his wife, Claude Lalanne, he worked under the collective name “Les Lalanne,” challenging the distinctions between fine art, nature, and everyday objects. While his wife, Claude, drew inspiration from the botanical world, François-Xavier focused on animals. His early work as a guard in the Egyptian and Assyrian galleries at the Louvre greatly shaped his artistic style.
The artist’s Âne Bâté is a prime example of his sophisticated bestiary works. Crafted from patinated bronze and accented with polished metal and leather, this life-sized donkey subtly opens to reveal a hidden fold-out writing desk. The donkey first appeared in Lalanne’s work in 1973 with Âne de Nathalie, the ‘Pompadour Donkey’, commissioned by Nathalie de Noailles. From the start, this motif was produced in limited editions and associated with a select group of prominent collectors. Translated as “Pack Donkey,” this piece showcases the artist’s distinctive fusion of fine art and functional furniture, transforming a playful animal form into an avant-garde, versatile desk-and-storage solution.
