“All painting is a form of magic… the evocation of desire and mystery.”
(Leonor Fini)
Feminine Surrealism with Myth, Mystery, and Power
Leonor Fini was an Argentinian-born, Italian-raised painter, illustrator, and printmaker whose work embodies a uniquely feminine and theatrical vision of Surrealism. Born in Buenos Aires in 1907 and raised in Trieste and later Paris, she moved effortlessly between the worlds of fine art, literature, stage design, and fashion, while always staying true to her independent artistic identity.
Fini was never officially part of the Surrealist group, yet she was closely associated with its leading figures — including Max Ernst, André Breton, and Salvador Dalí — and her work often challenged their male-dominated narratives. Her paintings, drawings, and lithographs feature powerful and enigmatic women, often depicted as sphinxes, priestesses, or mythical hybrids.
Deeply inspired by mythology, psychology, and sexuality, Fini’s imagery explores themes of transformation, desire, and inner sovereignty. Her graphic work — especially her lithographs and book illustrations — stands out for its delicate precision, sensual symbolism, and fantastical storytelling.
Unapologetically unconventional, Fini lived her life surrounded by cats, lovers, and masks — often blurring the line between art and persona. Today, her work is recognized as a bold and visionary contribution to feminist and surrealist art history.