Leonor Fini, an Argentine-Italian surrealist painter, designer, illustrator, and author, known for her depictions of powerful and erotic women, was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Leonor Fini was born in 1908. She later became known as an Argentinian-Italian painter, illustrator, designer, and author, best recognized for her surrealist artworks.

Despite having no formal training, Leonor Fini started exhibiting in group exhibitions in Trieste and Milan. It was during this time that she discovered the Italian Mannerists and began receiving commissions for portraits, a genre in which she would later excel.

At the age of 17, Léonor Fini exhibited her first works publicly in Trieste, Italy, showcasing her early talent and passion for art.

In 1929, Leonor Fini participated in her first group exhibition in Milan after starting her painting journey in Trieste.

In 1931, Leonor Fini moved to Paris where she became acquainted with influential artists like Max Ernst and entered the Surrealist circles. Her eccentricity, flamboyant personality, and artistic talent quickly made her an integral part of the Parisian art scene. Fini's association with Surrealism and her independent spirit defined her artistic journey.

In 1932, Leonor Fini had her first solo exhibition in Paris at the Galerie Bonjean. This marked the beginning of her rise to prominence in the art world.

In 1936, Leonor Fini's artwork was included in the Fantastic Art, Dada and Surrealism exhibition at the MOMA in New York. This marked a significant moment in her career as an artist.

In 1937, Leonor Fini designed the bottle and packaging for Elsa Schiaparelli's perfume called Shocking. This venture showcased Fini's creativity beyond visual arts.

In this self-portrait, Leonor Fini confronts the viewer with a hidden scorpion beneath a glove, symbolizing feminine power and eroticism.

In 1939, Leonor Fini had another solo exhibition at Julien Levy Gallery in New York. This exhibition showcased her unique artistic style and creativity.

A portrait of Lady Diana Cooper created in 1941.

During the 1940s, Leonor Fini extensively depicted sphinxes in her paintings, symbolizing powerful and autonomous women. The sphinx motif served as an alter ego for Fini, challenging Surrealist patriarchal norms by portraying women in dominant roles.

In 1943, Leonor Fini was included in Peggy Guggenheim's show 'Exhibition by 31 Women' at the Art of This Century gallery in New York, highlighting her importance in the art world.

After the Liberation of Paris in 1944, Leonor Fini returned to the city to live and work for the remainder of her life. This marked a significant moment in her career and personal life.

In 1947, Leonor Fini had an exhibition at Hugo Gallery in New York with text by André Pieyre de Mandiargues. This exhibition further solidified her presence in the art world.

Leonor Fini created a costume design for 'Demoiselles de la nuit' in 1948, showcasing her unique artistic style.

In 1949, Leonor Fini created a costume design for 'Le Rêve de Léonor'. This work showcases her talent and creativity beyond painting, as she was also involved in theater and costume design.

In October 1952, Leonor Fini met the Polish writer Konstanty Jeleński, also known as Kot, who became an integral part of her unconventional household along with Stanislao Lepri.

In 1954, Leonor Fini designed and created costumes for Renato Castellani's film Romeo and Juliet. Her artistic contributions extended to the world of cinema, showcasing her versatile skills.

In 1955, Leonor Fini illustrated the book 'Le Poids d’un oiseau' by Lise Deharme, showcasing her talent in visual storytelling through art.

Leonor Fini created a fairy tale-inspired painting called Les Sorcières for the Mexican actress, María Félix.

In the 1960s, Leonor Fini designed a Black Scarecrow mask with round holes for eyes, made of black thick felt fabric and mounted on a stand of driftwood tree branch. This unique creation showcases her talent in stage and costume design.

In 1963, Leonor Fini designed costumes for the iconic film 8 1/2 directed by Federico Fellini.

On March 5, 1971, Palais de l'Athénée, salle Crosnier in Genève showcased Leonor Fini's maquettes de théâtre.

From June 4 to July 3, 1971, Galerie Hans Hoeppner in Hambourg exhibited Leonor Fini from Paris.

In 1979, Leonor Fini's book 'Rogomelec' was published, showcasing her literary talent alongside her renowned artistic skills.

Dimanche après-midi is an oil on canvas artwork created around 1980 by Leonor Fini. It presents multiple portraits of Fini intertwined with her cats, symbolizing the objectification of femininity and the joy of a 'Sunday Afternoon'. The work reflects Fini's love and devotion towards her feline companions.

On April 22, 1981, an exhibition took place at Musée Ingres in Montauban.

From November 9 to December 31, 1982, an exhibition titled 'Les Petites Enseignes pour la nuit' was held at Galerie Proscenium in Paris.

From July 2 to September 30, 1983, a retrospective exhibition took place at Galleria Civica d'Arte Moderna in Palazzo dei Diamanti, Ferrara.

From November 22, 1985, to May 11, 1986, a retrospective exhibition with text by Leonor Fini and Constantin Jelenski was held at Sogo Museum of Art in Yokohama, Japan.

From June 17 to July 16, 1986, a retrospective exhibition took place at Musée du Luxembourg.

From December 4, 1986, to January 24, 1987, an exhibition titled 'Visages' was held at Galerie Proscenium in Paris.

In the spring of 1987, Leonor Fini had an exhibition at London's Editions Graphique's gallery.

From May 1 to 29, 1988, an exhibition took place at Galerie Guy Pieters in Knokke-le-Zoute, Belgium.

From June 8 to July 29, 1988, an exhibition titled 'Baudelaire-Poe' was held at Galerie Carpentier in Paris.

From August 6 to 15, 1991, an exhibition took place at Mairie de Nonza in Corse.

Neil Zukerman's exhibition 'Leonor Fini - Artist as Designer' took place in 1992 at CFM Gallery in New York, highlighting Leonor Fini's role as an artist and designer.

Leonor Fini, the renowned artist known for her painting, graphic design, and set and costume design for various performances, passed away in Paris. Her career spanned six decades and left a significant impact on the art world.

Galerie Richard P. Hartmann in Munich held an exhibition in memoriam of Leonor Fini on April 2, 1996.

The Les Somnambules—In memoriam Leonor Fini exhibition took place at Galerie Dionne in Paris from March 12 to June 28, 1997.

An exhibition featuring Leonor Fini and Stanislao Lepri's works was held at Maison de la Loire in Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire from July 11 to September 6, 1997.

A retrospective exhibition titled Leonor Fini, peintre du fantastique was held at Panorama Museum in Bad Frankenhausen, Germany from November 22, 1997, to March 1, 1998.

In 1999, Leonor Fini's work was featured in an exhibition entitled 'Women, Surrealism, and Self-representation' at the San Francisco Modern Museum of Art.

An exhibition at the Weinstein Gallery in San Francisco that took place from December 6, 2001, to January 29, 2002.

An exhibition titled 'Leonor Fini, Portraits' held at Malmaison in Cannes from February 23 to May 5, 2002.

The Exposition Leonor Fini held at the Bunkamura Museum of Art in Tokyo from June 18 to July 31, 2005, followed by travels to other museums in Japan.

The exhibition 'Métamorphoses d’une femme' held at L’Atelier Grognard in Rueil-Malmaison from November 17, 2006, to January 22, 2007.

In 2007, an authoritative biography of Leonor Fini was published by art historian Peter Webb, shedding light on the life and works of the artist.

Inauguration of the permanent installation of the 'Salon de Leonor Fini' at the Musée de l’Hospice Saint Roch in Issoudun, France on February 8, 2008.

A retrospective exhibition titled 'Leonor Fini, L’italienne de Paris' held at the Revoltella Museum of Modern Art in Trieste from July 4 to September 27, 2009.

Sarah Kent's article 'Leonor Fini: surreal thing' was published in The Daily Telegraph on October 30, 2009, offering insights into the surrealistic art of Leonor Fini.

W. Chadwick's work in 2011 highlighted Leonor Fini's legacy intertwined with themes of love, war, and friendship, showcasing the depth of her artistic expression.

An exhibition featuring the works of Leonor Fini at Bildmuseet in Umea, Sweden from January 31, 2014 to May 11, 2014.

The exhibition 'Leonor Fini / Pourquoi pas?' showcases the diverse artistic expression of Leonor Fini through paintings, drawings, objects, book illustrations, and literature.

HuffPost delved into Leonor Fini's surrealist legacy in 2015, exploring her unique perspective and artistic vision that resonated with surrealism.

Leonor Fini's exhibition at Weinstein on November 23, 2015.

In 2016, Hyperallergic delved into the unclassifiable art of Leonor Fini, portraying her as a true Parisian bohemian with a unique artistic style.

The Paris Review explored Leonor Fini's 'Theatre of Desire' in 2018, showcasing her artistic expression and thematic depth.

An exhibition showcasing Leonor Fini's works titled 'Theater of Desire, 1930-1990' at the Museum of Sex on September 28, 2018.

The New York Times highlighted Leonor Fini in 2018, shedding light on her contributions to art, surrealism, and her unique perspective as a female artist.

Feminine Moments inducted Leonor Fini into the Hall of Fame in 2020, recognizing her enduring influence and artistic contributions.

The Guardian reported in 2022 that Leonor Fini's works were among the treasures for sale from an extraordinary New York home, showcasing her enduring legacy.

In 2022, Street Art Museum Tours highlighted Leonor Fini as a pioneering non-conformist in surrealism, known for her colorful and innovative works.

An exhibition featuring work spanning seven decades by Argentine-Italian artist Leonor Fini, exploring themes of transformation, masquerade, and performance through various mediums such as paintings, sculpture, and works on paper. The exhibition focuses on figurative depictions of subjects from drama, folklore, and dreams, incorporating autobiographical references and influences from Shakespeare, Greek mythology, Egyptian and medieval history, and opera.

An exhibition showcasing the works of Leonor Fini titled 'Metamorphosis' held from January 12 to February 25, 2023, at 297 Tenth Avenue, New York.

Tate, supported by Endeavor, acquires pieces by various artists including Romany Eveleigh, Leonor Fini, Lewis Hammond, Rita Keegan, Sandra Vásquez de la Horra, and Frida Orupabo at Frieze London and Frieze Masters 2022.

An exhibition at Musée Marmottan Monet features Leonor Fini and over one hundred works from private and public collections, showcasing one of the first post-modern movements.

Exhibition at MART Rovereto commemorating the relationship between Leonor Fini and Fabrizio Clerici, curated by Denis Isaia, running from July 16 to November 5, 2023.

Exhibition 'Leonor Fini: Portraits and Passagers' at Weinstein Gallery showcasing the artist's portraiture works from 1939 to 1992, running from April 27 to June 7, 2024.

Art historian Tere Arcq is curating a major exhibition of Leonor Fini's work that will open in Milan next year and then travel to other cities, highlighting the importance of recognizing Fini's achievements as an artist beyond the fascination with her personal life.

Another significant exhibition of Leonor Fini's art is set to open in Frankfurt, Germany in 2026, showcasing her diverse artistic talents and contributions.