Fernando Botero is a renowned artist from Colombia, known for his distinctive style of painting and sculpture that features whimsical, exaggeratedly rotund figures. Born in 1932 in MedellÃn, Botero left matador school to pursue his passion for art, studying Renaissance and Baroque masters across Europe.
Botero’s signature style, “Boterismo,” became widespread in the 1970s and has come to represent social commentary or humor. His oeuvre spans various themes, from Colombian daily life to art-historical references. The artist’s early drawings were more naturalistic than his later works.
With numerous prizes and distinctions under his belt, Botero’s work can be found worldwide in public spaces and prestigious collections. In addition to sculpture and painting, he is also an accomplished draftsman.
In summary, Fernando Botero is a Colombian artist hailed globally for his unique style of paintings and sculptures that feature inflated human or animal shapes reflecting political criticism or humor. His works range across various themes from life in Colombia to references in art history with honors obtained both locally and internationally since the 1970s until present day.
