The artwork titled “Self-Portrait the Day of the First Communion,” created by Fernando Botero in 1970, belongs to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. This self-portrait is notable for its distinctive style and thematic elements characteristic of Botero’s oeuvre.
In the artwork, a young boy in a white sailor suit, typical of First Communion attire, is portrayed. He holds a lit candle and a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a book in the other, symbolizing religious devotion. The background is a plain, light-colored surface that emphasizes the figure. Above the boy’s left shoulder, are two small, mythical creatures, one dark and one light, adding an element of surrealism to the piece. The figure’s rounded and voluminous form is characteristic of Botero’s unique artistic style that exaggerates proportions to create a sense of whimsy and critique. The overall composition and motifs reflect both innocence and the complexity of the human experience as interpreted through Botero’s lens.
