Leonora Carrington (1917-2011) was one of the most underappreciated Surrealists of the 20th century. For decades, she was famous for inspiring Surrealist painter Max Ernst, but she had a genius of her own in painting, writing and politics.
Leonora Carrington (1917-2011) was one of the most underappreciated Surrealists of the 20th century. For decades, she was famous for inspiring Surrealist painter Max Ernst, but she had a genius of her own in painting, writing and politics.
This month, we’re talking about muses–women who were drivers of creativity and inspiration. Once again, we’re proud to partner with Mercedes-Benz (whose famous namesake was inspired by a young muse named Mercedes). Tune in daily for stories of women whose lives inspired work that has shaped our culture.
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Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.
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Hello! From Wonder Media Network, I’m Jenny Kaplan. This is Womanica.
This month, we're talking about muses -- women who were drivers of creativity and inspiration
Today, we’re diving into the story of one of the most underappreciated Surrealists of the 20th century. For decades, she was famous for inspiring Surrealist painter Max Ernst. But she had a genius of her own in painting, writing and politics.
Meet Leonora Carrington.
Leonora was born on April 6, 1917 in Lancashire, England to a wealthy family. She was an unruly child and got expelled from two different convent schools for bad behavior.
Her parents hoped that Leonora, their only daughter, would settle down and embrace her future as a debutante. But Leonora had other plans — to become an artist. After much convincing, Leonora’s parents briefly sent her away to study art in Florence, Italy. Later, she continued her artistic education in London.
In 1936, Leonora attended the International Exhibition of Surrealism in London. She was captivated by the Surrealists’ illogical yet expressive style. She especially loved the paintings by German artist Max Ernst.
In 1937, Leonora met Max at a party in London. He was married and much older than Leonora — he was 46 and she was 20. Still, the two fell in love. It didn’t take long for , Max to leave his wife, and the new couple moved to the south of France.
During their romance, Leonora undeniably inspired the painter’s works. But she always bristled at the word “muse.” She later told an interviewer: “I didn’t have time to be anyone’s muse…I was too busy rebelling against my family and learning to be an artist.”
While she lived with Max, Leonora was developing her own style as a Surrealist painter and writer. Many of her works reacted against strict English high society. Her short story “The Debutante” features a wealthy girl’s rebellion when she invites a hyena to a ball.
Leonora’s paintings were equally striking, with influences including Celtic literature, Central American folk art, Renaissance paintings and medieval alchemy. Many of her works feature half-animal, half-human figures and explore metamorphosis and magic.
Leonora’s relationship with Max disintegrated as the Nazis descended on France during World War II. Ernst was arrested several times by the Gestapo for making “degenerate art.” He fled to America, leaving Leonora behind.
Leonora narrowly escaped the Nazis and ended up in a sanatorium in Madrid. She endured shock therapy and a now-banned seizure-inducing drug. She later recounted this dark period of her life in her memoir “Down Below.”
Leonora eventually regained her freedom thanks to a friend named Renato Leduc. He was a Mexican poet, but worked as a foreign diplomat. He married Leonora so she could legally leave Europe. The two then traveled to New York together and quickly annulled their marriage.
From there, Leonora moved to Mexico in 1942 for a fresh start. There, she met and fell in love with Hungarian photographer Emerico Weisz. They got married and had two sons together.
Leonora found new artistic and social freedom in Mexico. As a white, upper-class European woman, she enjoyed less rigid social expectations than Mexican-born women.
She befriended two other European female artists: painter Remedios Varo and photographer Kati Horna. The three women became inseparable and inspired each other’s many works of art. They spent long days working alongside each other in chaotic rooms that served as both art studios and nurseries. Their paintings and photographs were revolutionary for how often they used older women as artistic subjects.
Leonora also embraced her feminist wordview while in Mexico. She was a founding member of the Women's Liberation Movement in Mexico. In 1976, she wrote, “A woman should not have to demand Rights. The Rights were there from the beginning, they must be Taken Back Again.”
Leonora’s work went largely unappreciated for several decades. But feminist scholars in the ‘70s and ‘80s celebrated Leonora for bringing a female perspective to Surrealism. Her work became more widely known and valued by art collectors in her later years.
Leonora died from complications from pneumonia on May 25, 2011 in Mexico City.
All month, we’re highlighting muses. For more information, find us on Facebook and Instagram @womanicapodcast.
Special thanks to Liz Kaplan, my favorite sister and co-creator.
Talk to you tomorrow!