Fernando Botero

Fernando Botero Angulo (1932-2023) was a Colombian figurative artist and sculptor born in Medellin, Colombia. His signature style, “Boterismo”, which depicts large-volume figures can represent political criticism or humor depending on the work. His art has been seen worldwide, from Park Avenue in New York City (1993) to the Champs-Élysées in Paris (1992). In his birthplace of Medellin, you can find Botero Plaza in the “Old Quarter” which displays 23 of his distinct voluptuous sculptures.

At just 16 years old, he had his first exhibition alongside other artists from his region.
In 1958 he won the first prize at the Salón de Artistas Colombianos for his painting “Camera degli Sposi (Homage to Mantegna)”.

His first attempt at sculptures was around 1964 but he abandoned them until the mid-1970s when he could come back to sculptures. Botero’s recognizable sculptures have been displayed around the world, having multiple exhibitions by the 1990s. Some examples of his sculptural works include “Cabeza” in Plaza Botero and “La Maternidad” in the Plaza Escandalera in Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.​

He has achieved international recognition for his paintings, drawings, and sculptures, with exhibitions across the world including at the Guggenheim Museum in New York and Central Harbourfront in Hong Kong. His art is collected by many major international museums, corporations, and private collectors. Botero passed away at the age of 91 in Monaco on September 15, 2023.