Les Distractions de Dagobert

Surrealism Lovers Series — Great Women Artists Series

Welcome back to Giselle daydreams! For those who have been reading this newsletter for a while, you will know that I am a Surrealism fan and I love writing about Surrealist artists. I was recently reading Out of this Century: confessions of an art addict by Peggy Guggenheim, and this reminded me of all the Surrealist artists I must write about, and more content ideas that I would love to delve into. Coincidentally, October also marks the 100th anniversary since André Betron published his Surrealist Manifesto back in 1924.

Les Distractions de Dagobert was painted by Leonora Carrington in 1945. Created during her time in Mexico, the work reflects her interest in mythological themes and dream-like narratives, presenting a whimsical world where the boundaries between the real and the imaginary are blurred. This surrealist work also showcases her characteristic blend of fantasy and folklore.

Les Distractions de Dagobert is an intriguing work that blends historical, fantastical, and surreal elements, which are characteristic of Carrington’s unique artistic vision. The painting draws from the legend of King Dagobert I, a 7th-century Frankish king, but reimagines him through the lens of Carrington’s surrealism. Carrington transforms Dagobert into a fantastical character involved in curious and enigmatic activities. 

The dream-like atmosphere, vivid colours, and bizarre creatures in the composition evoke Carrington’s deep connection to surrealism, blending Celtic mythology, fairy tales, childhood memories, personal symbolism and the supernatural. The title suggests distractions or amusements, yet the figures and scenes in the painting are imbued with a sense of mystery and otherworldliness, typical of Carrington's work. Her use of mythology and folklore is a hallmark of her work, blending ancient tales with personal, fantastical interpretations. Carrington often drew from Celtic and European myths, weaving them into her unique narratives. As with many of her works, Carrington creates a world where logic is subverted, and animals and humans merge into fantastical hybrids, inviting viewers to question traditional narratives and reality. The painting also exemplifies her feminist approach, challenging male-dominated history and myth-making by presenting alternative, often matriarchal, interpretations of such stories.

The painting's composition, with its strange hybrid creatures and dream-like setting, reflects Carrington’s deep connection to surrealism. In this world, logic and reality are distorted, giving way to a fluid, subconscious expression that mixes the real and the imaginary, reflecting the freedom Carrington found in surrealist techniques.

Like much of her oeuvre, this painting suggests a rejection of conventional reality in favour of a world where animals, humans, and objects merge into hybrid forms. Carrington frequently used this technique to explore the boundaries of existence, creating a magical, alternative world filled with possibilities beyond the confines of societal norms.

While Dagobert may historically represent male power, Carrington subverts this by presenting him in a surreal, disempowered state of distractions. This challenges traditional masculine historical narratives, a recurring theme in Carrington's work, where patriarchal structures are often undermined or reimagined through magical, matriarchal lenses.

Carrington's personal experiences with mental illness, particularly her institutionalisation during World War II, inform many of her works. In Les Distractions de Dagobert, the king's distractions can be interpreted as a metaphor for psychological escape or madness, themes that Carrington often explored as part of her own healing and identity-formation process.

This painting’s ethereal tone and fantastical imagery may also symbolise the turbulence Carrington experienced during this period, notably her time in France during World War II, which led to her institutionalisation and eventual relocation to Mexico. Her exploration of identity, madness, and transformation can be seen in the surreal forms and dream-like composition of Les Distractions de Dagobert, emphasising themes of liberation from societal constraints.

Les Distractions de Dagobert, like much of her work, is marked by a playful, yet eerie quality, inviting viewers into an otherworldly realm, typical of Carrington's explorations of alternative realities​. Les Distractions de Dagobert is not just a surreal reimagining of a historical figure, but a window into Carrington's broader interests in mythology, personal transformation, and the dismantling of patriarchal structures​. Les Distractions de Dagobert is a testament to Carrington's ability to weave complex personal and historical narratives into a surreal tapestry, making her one of the most unique voices in 20th-century art.

I hope you enjoyed today’s post. If you enjoy reading about Surrealism, feel free to share this post with like-minded people or Surrealism Lovers.

Fin.