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Leonor Fini

French, 1908-1996

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.

Average Sold Price
$530
Styles
Materials
Related Artists
Romeo and Juliet - Lithograph
By Leonor Fini
Located in Paris, IDF
Leonor FINI (1908-1996) Romeo and Juliet, 1980 Lithograph Printed signature in the plate On Vellum 43 x 36 cm (c. 16.92 x 14.1 in) Excellent condition
Category

1980s Modern Leonor Fini

Materials

Lithograph

Composition, Variations sur l'imaginaire, Leonor Fini
By Leonor Fini
Located in Auburn Hills, MI
Lithograph on vélin de Rives paper. Inscription: hand signed and unnumbered, as issued. Good condition. Notes: From the folio, Variations sur l'imaginaire, 1972. Published by Philipp...
Category

1970s Surrealist Leonor Fini

Materials

Lithograph

Leonor Fini, rare original serigraph on Rives paper, circa 1970
By Leonor Fini
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Rare print handsigned by surrealist artist Leonor Fini, inscreasingly esteemed with the movement of rediscovering art by women. This silkscreen is in perfect condition and from a ver...
Category

Mid-20th Century Surrealist Leonor Fini

Materials

Paper

Composition, Parallèlement, Léonor Fini
By Leonor Fini
Located in Auburn Hills, MI
Lithograph on grand vélin d'Arches paper. Inscription: unsigned and unnumbered, as issued. Good condition, with centerfold, as issued. Notes: from the folio, Parallèlement, Illustré ...
Category

1960s Modern Leonor Fini

Materials

Lithograph

Satiricon - Lithograph on Cardboard by Leonor Fini - 1970
By Leonor Fini
Located in Roma, IT
Satiricon is a colored lithograph, realized in 1970 by Leonor Fini, an Argentine-Italian painter who spent her artistic career in France and was associated with the Surrealist movement. Not signed nor numbered. In very good condition. From series "Satiricon de Petron". The artwork represents a portrait of a nude woman with her delicate beauty expressed perfectly through confident strokes by bright and harmonic colors. Leonor Fini (1907-1966) was an emblematic painter, illustrator, writer, scene painter and draftswoman; one of her favorite subjects was human bodies painted with hybrid shapes, as animals, plants or minerals. Her subjects are neither naked nor dressed, their body is crossed by nervous tissues, veins and blood vessels.
Category

1970s Contemporary Leonor Fini

Materials

Cardboard, Lithograph

Figure in Doorway, Surrealist Etching by Leonor Fini
By Leonor Fini
Located in Long Island City, NY
Leonor Fini, Argentine/French (1918 - 1996) - Figure in Doorway, Medium: Etching, signed and numbered in pencil, Edition: 207/220, Image Size: 7.5 x 5.25 inches, Size: 12.5 x 10 in. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Surrealist Leonor Fini

Materials

Etching

Face and Flowers
By Leonor Fini
Located in Columbia, MO
Leonor Fini was born in Argentina in 1907 but travelled and lived in Europe with her mother from a young age. By 1931, she was in Paris, in the full swing of the Surrealist movement....
Category

20th Century Surrealist Leonor Fini

Materials

Etching

Composition, Parallèlement, Léonor Fini
By Leonor Fini
Located in Auburn Hills, MI
Lithograph on grand vélin d'Arches paper. Inscription: unsigned and unnumbered, as issued. Good condition. Notes: from the folio, Parallèlement, Illustré de lithographies originales ...
Category

1960s Modern Leonor Fini

Materials

Lithograph

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Leonor Fini Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMediumCreation Year
2025$250Animal Prints, More PrintsLithograph1975
2025$750Figurative Prints, Landscape PrintsLithograph1969
2025$492Animal PrintsLithographc. 1973
2025$838Figurative Prints, Nude PrintsLithograph1986
2024$100More ArtPaper1980
2024$160Nude PrintsLithograph1980
2024$205Figurative PrintsLithograph1972
2024$675Portrait PrintsEtching
2024$202Figurative PrintsLithograph1972
2024$166Nude PrintsLithograph1980
2024$100Prints and MultiplesOffset Print1978
2024$800Portrait PrintsLithograph1972
2024$200Figurative PrintsLithograph1966
2024$330Figurative PrintsLithographMid-20th Century
2024$900Animal PrintsLithograph1973
2024$900Animal PrintsLithograph1973
2024$900Animal PrintsLithograph1973
2024$1,440Portrait PrintsArchival Paper, Etching1973
$530
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$100-$1,440
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Artists Similar to Leonor Fini

Leonor Fini art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Leonor Fini art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of orange, yellow and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Leonor Fini in lithograph, etching, paper and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the Surrealist style. Not every interior allows for large Leonor Fini art, so small editions measuring 5 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of André Masson, Max Ernst, and Roberto Matta. Leonor Fini art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $66 and tops out at $400,000, while the average work can sell for $900.
Questions About Leonor Fini
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024
    The Italian female Surrealist is Leonor Fini. Although she was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1907, her parents separated soon after, and her mother took her to Trieste, Italy, where she grew up, so many consider her to be Italian. Although she had no formal art education, Fini created prints, paintings and drawings that were widely revered for their sensuous qualities and raw energy. Some of her most famous works include Little Hermit Sphinx, La Toilette Inutile, Woman Seated on a Naked Man and La Semaine de Bonté. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of Leonor Fini at.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 29, 2024
    Yes, 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.

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