After the chapter on abstraction, we open a new theme, that of Surrealist women artists. The group formed in Paris in 1924 around André Breton. In the beginning, it was solely composed of men, either recognised or rejected by this charismatic and authoritarian leader. Women were only present as muses or partners. In the 1930s, they began to take hold of this language, and it is only recently that their work has been rediscovered through exhibitions and publications.
Leonor Fini, like many other women artists, had a special place within the movement. She herself spoke of a “companionship” with Surrealism, for lack of having been officially recognised by Breton. Yet, the artist considered that she had painted in a surreal manner since the age of sixteen, revealing her inner self. She regarded her work to be autobiographical and independent.

The podcast Great Women of Art gives a voice to women artists of the 20th century. They speak about their work, their lives, the world around them and their achievements. Let us go in search of their presence, their secrets. Let us rediscover the hidden history of women artists through their voices.Great Women of Art is a podcast produced by AWARE: Archives of Women Artists, Research and Exhibitions, in collaboration with the Institut national de l’audiovisuel, with the support of Maison Veuve Clicquot and the Ministry of Culture’s Délégation à la transmission, aux territoires et à la démocratie culturelle. 

AWARE is a non-profit organization co-founded in 2014 by Camille Morineau.

Coordinated by: Mathilde de Croix and the AWARE team
Directed by: Élodie Royer
Music by: Juliano Gil
Credits: Andrew Nelson
Sound Editing: Basile Beaucaire
Research Advisors: Catherine Gonnard and Marjorie Micucci
Translation: Beth Gordon
French Voice: Camille Morineau
English Voice: Lou Doillon
Translation of the Artist’s Voice: Eve Dayre

Illustration : Fanny Michaëlis, Leonor Fini, 2021
© Fanny Michaëlis