A recently uncovered painting by surrealist artist Leonora Carrington will be on display in London this summer. This piece, titled Villa Pilar, was created during her stay at a psychiatric hospital in Spain during World War II. Carrington painted it in 1940 while recovering at the Sanatorium Morales in Santander after fleeing from Nazi-occupied France, where her partner, artist Max Ernst, had been arrested.
Carrington faced a tough time during her stay. She described experiencing a psychological breakdown, which she detailed in her memoir, Down Below. Despite the harsh treatments she received, including controversial methods like cardiazol injections, her psychiatrist, Dr. Luis Morales, encouraged her to keep creating art. This led her to produce two significant works, Down Below and Villa Pilar, both of which reflect her experiences in the hospital.
Villa Pilar will be featured in the exhibition titled Leonora Carrington: The Symptomatic Surreal at the Freud Museum. This location holds historical significance as it was the last home of Sigmund Freud before he fled to London. The exhibition will run until August 10 before traveling to a new arts center in Faro, Santander.
Leonora Carrington was born in Lancashire in 1917 and pushed against the expectations of her wealthy upbringing. After studying at the Chelsea School of Art, she moved to France with Ernst. There, she became part of a vibrant artistic community that included other surrealists like André Breton and Salvador Dalí. In the 1940s, she settled in Mexico, where she became a celebrated figure in the art world.
In recent years, Carrington has gained recognition as a feminist icon. She once expressed that she was too focused on her art and personal challenges to fit into the role of a muse. Carrington passed away in Mexico City in 2011 at the age of 94.
Villa Pilar remained with Dr. Morales’ family for decades until researchers from the Faro Santander team brought it back to light for this exhibition. Curator Vanessa Boni highlighted that Carrington’s paintings illustrate themes of transformation and the subconscious, which are central to her work.
In an exciting turn of events, one of Carrington’s paintings was auctioned for £22.5 million in 2024, setting a record for a UK-born female artist. This reflects a growing appreciation for her contributions to surrealism and her unique perspectives.
As we look back, it’s evident that Carrington’s journey shaped not only her art but also the broader narrative of women’s roles in the art world. Her life underscores the importance of resilience and the value of creative expression in overcoming trauma.
For more about Carrington’s life and works, you can explore the Freud Museum’s announcements here.
