Leanor Fini

Leonor Fini (1907-1966) became the  Parisian surrealist sensation of her day. She painted her inner life, and many of her paintings feature herself as the protagonist. She exhibited in over 350 exhibitions; half of these were solo shows.
She loved  dressing in extravagant costumes, saying these costumes were an extension of herself, a truer part of herself. She loved making an entrance,  whether it was to her own exhibitions, or to a party.
 
This is in stark contrast to her childhood where she was often dressed as a boy in order to evade recognition by her father, who even once tried to kidnap her and bring her back to his home in Argentina.
 
Her childhood is a whole fascinating chapter. Briefly: Leonor’s  fierce independence, and acute sensitivity, can be traced back to her  mother. Although Leonor was born in Argentina, both her parents were actually European, having migrated to Argentina. Soon after Leonor was born, Leonor’s mother left her father and travelled back with Leonor to Italy. No one knows why she left, but a woman leaving her husband with a newborn in the early 1900s, was something unheard of. This speaks her mother’s protectiveness, independence, and drive.
 
Leonor‘s father actually did attempt to kidnap  Leonor  when she was still a very small child, and it was one of the most terrifying moments of her life. This darkness is referred to in some of her work and can be linked back to this traumatic childhood incident.
 
 As an artist, Leonor mixed in circles with notable artists of the day,  Henri Cartier-Bresson, Leonora Carrington, Salvador Dali & Max Ernst.
She is a fascinating character, and photos that you will find of her, show her rich inner life expressing itself through performance.
 
I came to love Leonor when I was researching another surrealist hero of mine - Remedies Varo. Both of these women were sensitive individuals who channelled this quality through their work. In doing so they built themselves a world of  independence, lore, beauty and enchantment. I encourage you to find out more about Leonor and her circle- and further enrich your life, as she has enriched mine.
 

 
 

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