7.2 Leonora Carrington and her surrealist paintings and writings

Leonora Carrington, a British-born Mexican artist, pushed boundaries in Surrealism with her dreamlike paintings and writings. Her work blended fantasy, mythology, and feminism, challenging traditional gender roles in art. Carrington's unique style and personal symbolism set her apart in the male-dominated Surrealist movement.

Carrington's life and art were shaped by her rebellious spirit and experiences in Europe and Mexico. Her paintings feature otherworldly landscapes and hybrid creatures, while her writings explore absurdist narratives and the subconscious. Carrington's influence extends beyond Surrealism, inspiring generations of artists to explore identity and the imagination.

Leonora Carrington's life and influences

Early life in England

Top images from around the web for Early life in England

• 

  Leonora Carrington. Cuentos mágicos, retrospectiva de la pintora anglo-mexicana en el Museo de ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Leonora Carrington - Self Portrait | Dan Crowther | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Leonora Carrington - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Leonora Carrington. Cuentos mágicos, retrospectiva de la pintora anglo-mexicana en el Museo de ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Leonora Carrington - Self Portrait | Dan Crowther | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Early life in England

• 

  Leonora Carrington. Cuentos mágicos, retrospectiva de la pintora anglo-mexicana en el Museo de ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Leonora Carrington - Self Portrait | Dan Crowther | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Leonora Carrington - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Leonora Carrington. Cuentos mágicos, retrospectiva de la pintora anglo-mexicana en el Museo de ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Leonora Carrington - Self Portrait | Dan Crowther | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Born in 1917 in Clayton Green, Lancashire to a wealthy textile manufacturer and an Irish mother
• Grew up in a privileged but strict household, where she felt confined by societal expectations
• Attended convent schools and was expelled for rebellious behavior, such as drawing caricatures of the nuns
• Developed a love for animals, particularly horses, which would later feature prominently in her artwork

Rebellious spirit and rejection of social norms

• Defied her family's expectations by pursuing art instead of marriage and domesticity
• Attended art schools in London, including the Chelsea School of Art and the Ozenfant Academy
• Embraced unconventional and bohemian lifestyles, rejecting the traditional roles imposed on women
• Cultivated a unique personal style, often dressing in androgynous clothing and cutting her hair short

Introduction to Surrealism in Paris

• Moved to Paris in 1937, where she was introduced to the Surrealist movement
• Attended Surrealist gatherings and exhibitions, becoming fascinated by their exploration of the subconscious and dreams
• Met and befriended prominent Surrealist artists, such as André Breton, Marcel Duchamp, and Man Ray
• Began incorporating Surrealist techniques and themes into her own artwork, such as automatic drawing and the juxtaposition of unexpected elements

Relationship with Max Ernst

• Met German Surrealist artist Max Ernst at a dinner party in London in 1937
• Fell in love and began a tumultuous and passionate relationship, despite Ernst being married at the time
• Collaborated on various artistic projects, including sculptures and paintings
• Lived together in France until the outbreak of World War II, when Ernst was interned as an enemy alien and Carrington fled to Spain

Leonora Carrington's surrealist paintings

Dreamlike and fantastical elements

• Created paintings that depict otherworldly landscapes and creatures, often inspired by her own dreams and imagination
• Populated her works with hybrid beings, such as half-human, half-animal figures, reflecting her interest in metamorphosis and transformation
• Incorporated elements of fantasy and mythology, such as unicorns, dragons, and other mythical beasts
• Used surreal juxtapositions and non-sequitur imagery to create a sense of disorientation and ambiguity

Symbolic and mythological imagery

• Drew inspiration from various mythologies, including Celtic, Greek, and Egyptian, to create a personal symbolic language
• Used animals as symbols for human traits and emotions, such as horses representing freedom and power
• Incorporated alchemical and occult symbols, reflecting her interest in esoteric knowledge and spirituality
• Created complex, multi-layered narratives within her paintings, often open to multiple interpretations

Feminist themes and female empowerment

• Depicted strong, independent female figures in her paintings, challenging traditional gender roles and expectations
• Explored themes of female identity, sexuality, and creativity, often through the lens of her own experiences as a woman artist
• Subverted male-dominated Surrealist tropes, such as the objectification of the female body, by presenting women as active, powerful agents
• Created works that celebrate feminine power and spirituality, such as the painting "The Giantess (The Guardian of the Egg)"

Unique style blending Surrealism and personal mythology

• Developed a distinctive visual language that combines Surrealist techniques with her own personal symbolism and mythology
• Used a vibrant, jewel-toned color palette, creating a sense of otherworldly luminosity
• Employed intricate, detailed brushwork and precise line work, reflecting her meticulous approach to composition
• Created a cohesive body of work that explores recurring themes and motifs, such as transformation, rebirth, and the interconnectedness of all living beings

Leonora Carrington's surrealist writings

Short stories and novels

• Wrote numerous short stories and novels throughout her career, often exploring Surrealist themes and techniques
• Published her first short story, "The House of Fear," in 1937, which established her as a talented writer within the Surrealist circle
• Wrote several novels, including "The Hearing Trumpet" (1974) and "The Stone Door" (1976), which blend autobiography, fantasy, and satire

Absurdist and nonlinear narratives

• Employed nonlinear, fragmented narratives that challenge traditional storytelling conventions
• Created absurdist, often humorous scenarios that defy logical explanation, reflecting the Surrealist interest in the irrational and the subconscious
• Used wordplay, puns, and linguistic experimentation to create a sense of disorientation and ambiguity
• Blurred the boundaries between reality and fantasy, often leaving the reader uncertain of what is real and what is imagined

Exploration of the subconscious and dreams

• Drew inspiration from her own dreams and the Surrealist practice of automatic writing to create her literary works
• Explored the workings of the subconscious mind, often depicting dreamlike, hallucinatory states
• Used writing as a means of self-exploration and self-discovery, delving into her own psyche and emotions
• Created vivid, sensory-rich descriptions that evoke the irrational and the marvelous, key aspects of Surrealist literature

Feminist perspectives in literature

• Wrote stories that feature strong, unconventional female protagonists who defy societal norms and expectations
• Explored themes of female identity, sexuality, and creativity, often through a autobiographical lens
• Challenged traditional gender roles and power dynamics, depicting women as active agents in their own lives
• Used humor and satire to critique and subvert patriarchal structures and attitudes, both within the Surrealist movement and society at large

Leonora Carrington's influence on Surrealism

Contributions to the Surrealist movement

• Brought a fresh, feminine perspective to the male-dominated Surrealist movement, challenging and expanding its boundaries
• Introduced new themes and symbols to the Surrealist lexicon, such as the use of animals as metaphors for human experiences and emotions
• Pioneered the use of automatic techniques in both her writing and painting, further exploring the creative potential of the subconscious
• Participated in Surrealist exhibitions and publications, helping to spread the movement's ideas and aesthetics to a wider audience

Challenging traditional gender roles in art

• Defied the Surrealist tendency to objectify and fetishize the female body, instead presenting women as complex, multifaceted subjects
• Created artwork that celebrates female power, creativity, and spirituality, subverting the traditional male gaze
• Challenged the notion of the male artist as the sole creator, collaborating with other artists and incorporating elements of collective creativity in her work
• Paved the way for future generations of female artists to assert their own voices and perspectives within the art world

Inspiring other female Surrealist artists

• Served as a role model and inspiration for other female artists, both within the Surrealist movement and beyond
• Collaborated with and mentored younger female artists, such as Remedios Varo and Kati Horna, fostering a sense of community and solidarity
• Demonstrated the possibilities for women to succeed as professional artists, despite the barriers and discrimination they faced
• Helped to establish a lineage of female Surrealists who continued to explore themes of femininity, identity, and the subconscious in their work

Legacy and impact on contemporary art

• Influenced countless artists, writers, and filmmakers with her unique blend of Surrealism, feminism, and personal mythology
• Helped to expand the boundaries of what was considered "Surrealist" art, paving the way for more diverse and inclusive approaches
• Continues to be celebrated as a pioneering figure in the history of women's art, inspiring new generations of artists to explore themes of gender, identity, and the subconscious
• Has been the subject of numerous exhibitions, retrospectives, and scholarly studies, cementing her place as a key figure in the canon of 20th-century art

Analyzing Leonora Carrington's major works

Self-Portrait (Inn of the Dawn Horse)

• Painted in 1937-1938, shortly after Carrington's introduction to Surrealism and her relationship with Max Ernst began
• Depicts Carrington seated in a room with a hyena, a rocking horse, and various symbolic objects, creating a dreamlike, enigmatic atmosphere
• Reflects Carrington's interest in self-representation and the exploration of her own identity as a woman and an artist
• Uses the hyena as a symbol of female power and rebellion, challenging traditional gender roles and expectations

The Giantess (The Guardian of the Egg)

• Created in 1947, after Carrington had moved to Mexico and begun incorporating elements of Mexican folklore and mythology into her work
• Depicts a towering female figure, surrounded by various animals and symbolic objects, guarding a giant egg
• Reflects Carrington's interest in the theme of female power and protection, as well as her fascination with mythology and the natural world
• Uses intricate, detailed brushwork and a vibrant color palette to create a sense of otherworldly luminosity and mystery

The Hearing Trumpet (novel)

• Published in 1974, The Hearing Trumpet is a surrealist novel that follows the adventures of a 92-year-old woman named Marian Leatherby
• Blends elements of autobiography, fantasy, and satire, creating a humorous and irreverent commentary on aging, identity, and societal norms
• Reflects Carrington's interest in the theme of female agency and empowerment, as well as her fascination with the absurd and the irrational
• Employs nonlinear, fragmented narratives and linguistic experimentation to create a sense of disorientation and ambiguity, hallmarks of Surrealist literature

The Oval Lady (short story collection)

• Published in 1939, The Oval Lady is a collection of short stories that showcase Carrington's unique blend of Surrealism, feminism, and dark humor
• Features stories that explore themes of metamorphosis, identity, and the subconscious, often through the experiences of female protagonists
• Reflects Carrington's interest in the Surrealist practice of automatic writing, as well as her fascination with the grotesque and the uncanny
• Uses vivid, sensory-rich language and dreamlike imagery to create a sense of disorientation and unease, inviting the reader to question the boundaries between reality and fantasy

Leonora Carrington's life in Mexico

Escaping World War II in Europe

• Fled to Spain in 1940, after the outbreak of World War II and the internment of Max Ernst
• Suffered a mental breakdown and was institutionalized in a psychiatric hospital in Santander, where she underwent traumatic shock therapy treatments
• Escaped the hospital with the help of her nanny and fled to Lisbon, where she married Mexican diplomat Renato Leduc in order to obtain a visa to leave Europe
• Arrived in Mexico City in 1942, where she would spend the majority of the rest of her life

Involvement in the Mexican Surrealist circle

• Quickly became involved in the vibrant artistic and intellectual community in Mexico City, which included many European Surrealists who had also fled the war
• Developed close friendships with artists such as Remedios Varo, Benjamin Péret, and Emerico "Chiki" Weisz, whom she would later marry
• Participated in Surrealist exhibitions and publications in Mexico, helping to establish a thriving Surrealist presence in the country
• Continued to explore Surrealist themes and techniques in her work, while also incorporating elements of Mexican culture and mythology

Incorporating Mexican folklore and mythology in art

• Drew inspiration from Mexican folklore, mythology, and indigenous art, incorporating these elements into her paintings and writings
• Used bright, vibrant colors and intricate patterns reminiscent of Mexican folk art, creating a distinctive visual style that blended Surrealism with Mexican influences
• Explored themes of death, rebirth, and transformation, which are central to Mexican culture and mythology
• Created works that celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Mexico, while also using it as a lens through which to explore her own personal mythology and symbolism

Later years and continued artistic output

• Continued to paint, write, and exhibit her work throughout her later years, maintaining a prolific and diverse artistic practice
• Collaborated with other artists and writers, including her husband Emerico "Chiki" Weisz, on various projects and exhibitions
• Became increasingly interested in esoteric and occult themes, incorporating elements of alchemy, tarot, and astrology into her work
• Received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to art and literature, including the National Prize for Arts and Sciences in Mexico in 2005
• Remained active and engaged with the art world until her death in 2011 at the age of 94, leaving behind a rich legacy of Surrealist art and feminist thought that continues to inspire and influence artists and scholars around the world.