Leonora Carrington

Date of Birth: April 6, 1917

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: May 25, 2011

Biography

Leonora Carrington was a British-born Mexican artist, surrealist painter, and writer. Born on April 6, 1917, in Clayton-le-Woods, Lancashire, England, Carrington’s life and work were influential in the surrealist movement. She was the daughter of a wealthy textile manufacturer and grew up in a privileged environment. However, her rebellious spirit led her to diverge from the conventional path expected of her. Carrington’s interest in art was evident from a young age, and she studied at the Chelsea School of Art and the Ozenfant Academy in London. In 1937, she met the German surrealist painter Max Ernst, and the two began a romantic relationship. They moved to Paris, where Carrington was introduced to the surrealist circle, including artists like André Breton and Salvador Dalí. Her relationship with Ernst was cut short by the onset of World War II, during which Ernst was arrested by the Nazis. Carrington fled to Spain, where she suffered a mental breakdown and was institutionalized. After her escape, she moved to Mexico City in 1942, where she spent the majority of her life. In Mexico, she married Emerico “Chiki” Weisz, a Hungarian photographer, and they had two children. Carrington continued to produce art and literature, blending her unique style with Mexican culture, folklore, and mythology. She passed away on May 25, 2011, in Mexico City, leaving behind a legacy of imaginative and fantastical work that continues to inspire.

5 Interesting Facts about Leonora Carrington

1. Carrington was one of the last surviving participants in the Surrealist movement.

2. She co-founded the Women’s Liberation Movement in Mexico during the 1970s.

3. Her novel, “The Hearing Trumpet,” is considered a classic of surrealist literature.

4. Carrington was a close friend of the famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

5. In 2005, one of her paintings, “Juggler,” sold for $713,000 at a Sotheby’s auction.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Leonora Carrington

1. “I didn’t have time to be anyone’s muse… I was too busy rebelling against my family and learning to be an artist.”

2. “Painting is a need, not a choice.”

3. “I warn you, I am in a really bad mood.”

4. “There are things that are not sayable. That’s why we have art.”

5. “I must create a system or be enslaved by another man’s.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of her career, Leonora Carrington’s net worth was estimated to be in the millions, largely due to the appreciation of her artwork and literary contributions. Specific figures are not readily available, but her influence and the value of her work have only grown since her death.

Children

Leonora Carrington had two children with her husband Emerico “Chiki” Weisz: Gabriel Weisz Carrington, a writer and philosopher, and Pablo Weisz Carrington, a doctor and artist.