L ‘Ange d’anatomie 1949

Léonor Fini made this painting, ‘L ‘Ange d’anatomie', with oil paint, and what hits me first is the grisaille palette, all those greys, browns and reds; it's like a muted, morbid symphony! Looking at the surface, I see how Fini has built up layers of glazes to create depth and luminosity, that translucent quality makes the angel seem both ethereal and disturbingly real. I love the way she renders the anatomy, exposing the muscles and bones beneath the skin and the wings seem to be coming from an otherworld. The folds of fabric at the bottom, painted with such care, become a metaphor for the layers of meaning in the painting. Fini’s exploration of the body and her interest in the macabre reminds me of artists like Egon Schiele, with his raw and unflinching depictions of the human form. But unlike Schiele, there's a sense of theatricality and fantasy in Fini's work that makes it uniquely her own. It’s a reminder that art isn't about answers, but about asking questions.