Leonor Fini was a gorgeous surrealist artist born in Buenos Aires in 1908 to an Argentine father and Italian mother. She was a cat rescuer (having over 20 at a time), rumored bisexual and definite polygamist. She believed "a woman should live with two men; one more a lover and the other more a friend." Fini was also an accomplished illustrator, print-maker, costumer designer and author.
Before the age of one, her parents divorced and her mother fled to Italy with Leonor, where she was disguised as a boy until the age of 6 to avoid kidnapping attempts by her father- which I'm sure didn't mess her up at all. While suffering from an eye disease as a teen, Fini spent a period of time in darkness and began developing her imaginative visions. Once recovered, she decided to depict them by becoming an artist. As early as 18 she began to achieve some success and the surrealist movement rapidly tried to absorb her into their fold with the likes of Dali, Max Ernst, etc. To their surprise she basically told them to fuck off and refused to join- criticizing the members as homophobic and misogynistic.
Her paintings are languid and sensual- the colors like sherbert or toothpaste or salt water taffy. Women (usually resembling herself) pose with alabaster breasts and gauzy robes- often depicting erotic or ceremonial scenes. She had extraordinary range as an artist and was skilled in many mediums. And she painted a whole lot of cats. And sometimes women turning into cats. She was a big fan of cats.
She probably made delicious lasagna and was really good in bed. I'm basing this on nothing. Also- she liked to dress like a priest when meeting a prospective purchaser of her artwork. (This part is true.)
(click on images to enlarge)
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