Leonor Fini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Leonor Fini was the life of the party during the French Surrealist movement. A socialite with connections to some of the movement's biggest names, Fini was also an astoundingly gifted artist in her own right. In fact, many consider her to be the most fiercely independent female artist of the 20th century. A theatrical personality, Fini created prints, paintings and drawings that are widely revered for their sensuous qualities and raw energy.
Fini's life started off in a dramatic fashion, which was perhaps a portent of things to come. She was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1907, but her parents separated soon after and her mother took her away to Trieste, Italy. Due to her father's attempts to kidnap her, Fini was often dressed as a boy throughout her childhood.
Fini was surrounded by artistic women in Trieste, and she naturally developed a love for art as well. By the time she was 17, she had become familiar with Renaissance art and Mannerist painting and was exhibiting her own portraits. In 1931, at just 24 years of age, Fini moved to Paris and became acquainted with influential artists Giorgio de Chirico and Carlos Carrà. She also met and started a romantic relationship with Surrealist pioneer Max Ernst, who introduced her to others in the movement.
Though she had no formal art education, Fini proved herself to be both technically masterful and creatively exceptional. Her work and her flamboyant personality attracted the attention of many of the 20th century's most celebrated artists and thinkers, including Salvador Dalí, Jean Cocteau, Albert Camus and Jean Genet, just to name a very few. She exhibited her work in many Parisian art galleries, including the gallery of Christian Dior before the fashion icon became a designer.
In the 1950s, Fini continued painting while immersing herself in other artistic and dramatic endeavors, including theater costume and mask design. She also designed posters for the Paris Opera and wardrobes for movies.
Fini continued living and painting in Paris for the rest of her life. She died in 1996.
On 1stDibs, find original Leonor Fini prints, paintings and drawings.
1960s Surrealist Leonor Fini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Lithograph
20th Century Surrealist Leonor Fini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Etching
1950s Surrealist Leonor Fini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Ink
Mid-20th Century Surrealist Leonor Fini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Ink, Paper
1990s Surrealist Leonor Fini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Paper, Ink, Watercolor
1940s Surrealist Leonor Fini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Graphite
20th Century Surrealist Leonor Fini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Graphite
1940s Surrealist Leonor Fini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Archival Paper, Graphite
1970s Surrealist Leonor Fini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
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2010s Surrealist Leonor Fini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Gold
1960s Surrealist Leonor Fini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Mixed Media, Graphite
1970s Surrealist Leonor Fini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Ink
1980s Surrealist Leonor Fini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Ink
2010s Surrealist Leonor Fini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Archival Paper, Graphite
Late 20th Century Academic Leonor Fini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Lithograph
Early 20th Century Surrealist Leonor Fini Drawings and Watercolor Paintings
Watercolor
Leonor Fini drawings and watercolor paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Artists Similar to Leonor Fini
- Was Leonor Fini a Surrealist?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 29, 2024Yes, Leonor Fini was a Surrealist. Though she had no formal art education, Fini proved to be both technically masterful and creatively exceptional. Her work and her flamboyant personality attracted the attention of many of the 20th century's most celebrated artists and thinkers, including Salvador Dalí, Jean Cocteau, Albert Camus and Jean Genet. She exhibited her work in many Parisian art galleries, including the gallery of Christian Dior, before the fashion icon became a designer. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of Leonor Fini art.