Leonor Fini and Little Hermit Sphinx

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Fini, Leonor. Little Hermit Sphinx. 1948,
Tate Gallery. 
(Image from Artstor)

Leonor Fini (Photo by Dora Marr)
(Image from leonor-fini.com)

Artist Background

    Leonor Fini was born in Bueno Aires, Argentina in 1907. She was known to be a rebellious and artistic child from a young age. As a young girl, she often spent time drawing though she was never professionally taught. As she grew older, she learned more through experiences with other artists than from schooling. Not only did she paint surrealist, fantastical images, she embodied them. She was known to dress extravagantly, often wearing masks and flashy garments. She was also said to have a very flamboyant, friendly spirit. Although she rejected labels, she is widely cited a one of most influential female artists of the Surrealism period. 

Artwork Background

    Her piece Little Hermit Sphinx was painted in 1948. The painting shows a setting of a rundown house in which the wallpaper is peeling and plant growth has over. In the center sits a sphinx with a downcast expression. Some foliage appears on the sphinx's head and other plants wrap around her and sit beside her. Above the head of a sphinx hangs a pink object from a string. This has been thought to be a uterus since, according to The Art Story, Fini had recently undergone a voluntary hysterectomy the year before. However, the Tate Museum's website states that Fini has identified the organ to be a lung (although the writers acknowledges the theory that it is a uterus). In front of the sphinx sits a broken egg, which seems to have some association with the hysterectomy, as written across both the Art Story and the Tate's websites. Other objects on the floor appear to be bone fragments and a bird skull. Since a sphinx is part cat, the egg and bird skull may somehow be connected through the cat attacking the bird. However, the lung is still unfit in this situation. To me, what is most strange is how the lung hangs from the ceiling. While the skull and pieces of bone make the floor look disheveled, the hanging lung is deliberate. I find it important that it is hanging, eerily mirroring a suicidal act and not a placement that just happens incidentally. 

Elements and Principles of Art

    Overall, the muddled nature of the piece is perhaps its' most important aspect to analyze. Sphinxes are common throughout Fini's pieces, so this is nothing out of place. Texture is an element that stands out to me the most through the display of the peeling walls and overgrowth of plants. The appearance of the walls exudes an old, grimy texture. The bluish color against the faded orange wallpaper makes some of the areas look moldy. When looking at the element of space, plant overgrowth from both the ceiling and floor make the area appear desolate. It is interesting how although we view a doorway, which is a relatively tight area, the appearance of the plants make the setting feel abandoned and empty. This is an example of how Fini uses objects to convey atmosphere. Lastly, color is very muted and melancholy. Wherever this place is, there is very little light. This adds to the feelings of desolation, mourning, and disorder. 

Analysis 

    This has been one of the more difficult pieces for me to analyze, partly because the colors are so dark and many blend in with one another. At first, when reading that the organ was a uterus, I immediately connected this piece to that of Wounded Deer by Frida Kahlo. If in fact it was a uterus, then both of these pieces would have reflected physical, biographical experiences of the artist. However, since the Tate Museum writers explain that Fini identified the organ as a lung, I was at a loss for making sense of the piece. Overall, I feel a sense of abandonment and mourning taking place, although I cannot figure out why. Many of the sphinxes in Fini's pieces are far more fierce and energetic than this one. The use of the word "hermit" also leads me to believe this sphinx is retreating inside, not wanting to interact with the outer world. The writers from The Art Story theorize the feelings of this piece in connection to the end of World War II. Ultimately, because Fini was associated with Surrealism, I see this piece as something not meant for viewers to dissect and make sense of each part. More so, it is something to experience as a part of Fini's imagination. 


Reader Questions: What do you think when looking at Little Hermit Sphinx? Is there a message or is this just a figment of Fini's subconscious?


(All sources used in this post were hyperlinked in the text - no other sources were used).     

    

    

    

        






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