Leonora Carrington

Painter

British-Mexican·b. 1917

Known for:

Surrealist painting drawing on alchemy and Celtic mythology

Education:

Chelsea School of Art, London; Ozenfant Academy, London

Leonora Carrington was born into an English aristocratic family and ran away to join the Surrealist movement in Paris at 19, becoming Max Ernst's companion and a central figure in the group. After Ernst's internment by the French authorities and her own hospitalization following a breakdown in Spain, she eventually settled in Mexico City in 1942, where she lived for the rest of her life. Her paintings draw on alchemy, Celtic mythology, and feminist spirituality in imagery of extreme formal elaboration.

Leonora Carrington's Gear List(3)

Oil Paint

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Used oil on canvas for early Surrealist works including portraits of Max Ernst

Product description

Oil paint — pigment suspended in a drying oil, typically linseed — has been the dominant painting medium since the fifteenth century. It dries slowly, allowing extended blending, and produces a rich, luminous surface. Available from dozens of manufacturers at student through professional grades.

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Last updated March 20, 2026

Egg Tempera

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Adopted egg tempera after moving to Mexico in 1943; mixed egg yolk, vinegar, and powdered raw pigment as an alchemical ritual on wood panel

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A fast-drying painting medium that uses egg yolk as a binder for dry pigment. Egg tempera produces thin, semi-translucent layers that build up to a luminous, matte finish. It was the primary panel painting medium in Europe before oil paint gained dominance in the 15th century. Artists typically prepare it fresh for each session, mixing yolk with water and pigment on the palette.

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Gouache

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Used gouache on cardboard for works like Mujeres Conciencia (1972)

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An opaque, water-based paint made from pigment, gum arabic, and an opacifying agent such as chalk or blanc fixe. Unlike watercolor, gouache dries to a flat, matte finish and can be applied light over dark. It rewets after drying, which allows reworking but requires care when layering. Gouache is a staple medium in illustration, design, and plein air painting.

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