Leonor Fini

Biography

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Leonor Fini was one of the most extraordinary artists of the 20th century, renowned for her visionary and surreal style. Born in Buenos Aires to Italian parents, she spent much of her life in Europe, where she forged a career that significantly shaped and enriched the international art scene. Fini explored themes such as mythology, eroticism, and femininity, creating works of great visual intensity, including paintings, drawings, and stage designs. Her art is characterized by a symbolic language and powerful emotional impact, challenging the conventions of her time. A central figure of Surrealism, although never officially part of the movement, she left an indelible mark on the art world and is celebrated for her ability to merge reality and dreams into a single, enigmatic universe.

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1907, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina to Italian parents.

1914: Moved with her family to Milan, Italy, after spending her early years in Argentina.

1920s: Lived between Milan and Paris, beginning her artistic career.

Self-Taught: Fini was largely self-taught as an artist, although she was influenced by classical mythology, Renaissance art, and the Symbolist movement.

1930s: Began gaining recognition for her work in Paris. Fini became involved in the Surrealist movement but never fully adhered to the group’s strict doctrines.

1936: Participated in her first group exhibition at the Galerie Pierre Colle in Paris, marking the start of her professional career in Europe.

1937: Her first solo exhibition took place at the Galleria della Cometa in Rome.

1940s: Fini’s work became known for its feminine themes, focusing on sensuality, the mythic, and the surreal. Exhibitions in Paris and New York.

1946: Worked with Jean Cocteau on designing sets and costumes for the ballet production of La Belle et la Bête (Beauty and the Beast).

1947-1948: She worked on illustrations for books, including works by Jean-Paul Sartre and Ernest Hemingway, showcasing her detailed and often fantastic imagery.

1950s-1960s: Produced a series of paintings reflecting surreal dreamscapes and mythological narratives with recurring themes of the feminine, masks, and powerful women.

1970s: During this period, Fini continued to work on large canvases, as well as costume design for theater and opera productions. She also collaborated on set designs for ballet and film.

1980s-1990s: Fini’s works were shown at major galleries, and retrospectives of her work were held in Paris and New York.

1991: A major retrospective exhibition of her works took place at the MuséeMarmottan in Paris, bringing renewed attention to her contributions to Surrealism and Symbolism.

1996: Leonor Fini passed away in Paris at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy in the world of surreal and feminist art.