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Lot Essay
Although Leonora Carrington's artistic creation is the expression of her personal mythology, it can safely be said that when it comes to animals and vegetables, these are integrated into her compositions with faithful accuracy. In her mind, they do not need to be interpreted or recreated in a personal way. They are so wise and complete that in one of her paintings she actually has one pig talking to a cabbage. To the Celts, Carrington's ancestors, the word cattle was used to distinguish between the domestic and wild stock; the bull symbolized strength and potency, and the Underworld cows of the fairies were said to be red with white ears. Still today, in some sections of Scotland, bonfires of rowan and ash wood are made so the cattle can be driven to their smoke to protect them against the fairies.
"I was born loving animals," Carrington has explained. As a child she had them as pets in her home, such as dogs, or as part of the household, such as horses, pigs or cattle; ferrets and stoats were used to keep the barn mice-free. Animals, she learned early, were to be respected for their particular sensibility. Always a source of wonder for her, she recognizes how, in being true to their instincts - as opposed to humans who tend to twist them - they have retained their extraordinary capabilities, such as being able to migrate across the world, as the seasons change; to travel upstream only to spawn and die, or to attach to a human being with fierce and unconditional loyalty. Carrington's interest in animals is true to the Pagan tradition's belief that working with animals is a form of honoring our ancestors; each animal holds within natural and extraordinary attributes. The Vet and the Bull is a painting of animals from Carrington's Celtic ancestry imbued with magical attributes. They symbolize defending yourself and your family; being content where you are, but also being aware of what may be going on around you; being alert for danger; and performing difficult work in a conscientious manner.
Salomon Grimberg
Dallas, August 2005
"I was born loving animals," Carrington has explained. As a child she had them as pets in her home, such as dogs, or as part of the household, such as horses, pigs or cattle; ferrets and stoats were used to keep the barn mice-free. Animals, she learned early, were to be respected for their particular sensibility. Always a source of wonder for her, she recognizes how, in being true to their instincts - as opposed to humans who tend to twist them - they have retained their extraordinary capabilities, such as being able to migrate across the world, as the seasons change; to travel upstream only to spawn and die, or to attach to a human being with fierce and unconditional loyalty. Carrington's interest in animals is true to the Pagan tradition's belief that working with animals is a form of honoring our ancestors; each animal holds within natural and extraordinary attributes. The Vet and the Bull is a painting of animals from Carrington's Celtic ancestry imbued with magical attributes. They symbolize defending yourself and your family; being content where you are, but also being aware of what may be going on around you; being alert for danger; and performing difficult work in a conscientious manner.
Salomon Grimberg
Dallas, August 2005