Laura II 

Léonor Fini made "Laura II" using watercolor, a medium often associated with subtlety and fluidity. Fini was a prominent figure within Surrealism, known for her provocative explorations of female identity and sexuality during a time when male artists dominated the movement. "Laura II" delicately portrays a face with closed eyes. Its soft hues evoke a sense of intimacy. The work offers a quiet challenge to traditional portraiture. Fini often questioned the established roles of women, both in art and society. Her art frequently challenged and subverted the male gaze. She once said, "I always had the idea of not being merely 'the muse'," which speaks volumes about her determination to claim agency in her artistic expression. Fini offers us a space to reflect on the complexities of self-representation. Her perspective is especially profound, given the historical constraints placed on women artists.