Tigers
Print on paper • Leonor Fini
Style & Movement
Surrealism / Fantastic Realism
Medium & Technique
Color lithograph or screenprint with hand-finished elements; employs saturated layered pigments and stippled texture effects
Creation Period
Late 20th Century (Circa 1970 - 1985)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 76 x 56 cm (30 x 22 inches); Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A central hybrid creature or feline figure depicted in vertical descent or suspension, set against a rhythmic background of yellow and orange organic forms resembling ribs or tiger stripes. The composition utilizes vibrant blues and fiery ambers to evoke a dreamlike, metamorphic state common in Fini's eroticized animal imagery.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; visible paper handling and minor edge wear consistent with age
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $3,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$1,000 - $2,500 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired from a commercial gallery or print publisher specializing in Surrealist works; includes a pencil signature in the lower right margin
Art Historical Significance
Fini was a major figure in the Parisian Surrealist circle known for her portrayals of powerful, independent women and sphinx-like feline creatures. This work represents her later printmaking phase where she explored vivid color palettes and zoomorphic abstractions.
Notable Features
Features the artist's characteristic fluid, calligraphic lines and a signature that matches Fini's later-life autograph; the composition plays with 'stripping' of the subject, blending foreground and background.
Condition Issues
Possible minor undulation of the paper; light toning/yellowing at the edges; potential micro-foxing in the blue field depending on humidity history
Conservation Recommendations
Mount using acid-free, archival materials and UV-protective glass. Avoid high-light environments to prevent fading of the sensitive yellow and red pigments.