World-Renowned Colombian Artist Fernando Botero Dies at Age 91
Fernando Botero, the Colombian artist celebrated for his unique style featuring voluptuous figures, has passed away at the age of 91. His whimsical and exaggerated portrayals of generals, bishops, prostitutes, housewives, and other subjects made him one of the world’s most recognized artists.
Botero’s death was confirmed by his close friend and co-owner of an art gallery in Houston, Mauricio Vallejo. He revealed that the artist had complications from pneumonia. Colombian President Gustavo Petro also announced the news on social media.
From the beginning of his career, Botero developed a distinctive style that brought him immediate commercial success. Fans would wait for him at airports just to get his autograph. Despite warnings that pursuing art would lead to a life of poverty, Botero was driven to follow his passion.
Born on April 19, 1932, in Medellín, Colombia, Botero discovered his love for art at a young age. His father’s death prompted his uncle to enroll him in a Jesuit high school, where his artistic endeavors were supported. Initially interested in bullfighting, Botero incorporated scenes from the sport into his early works.
Influenced by various art forms, such as Cubism, Mexican murals, and pinup art, Botero began his career as an illustrator for a local newspaper. He then moved to Bogotá and eventually settled in Paris and Florence, where he lived for several years.
Botero’s breakthrough came when New York curator Dorothy Miller purchased his piece “Mona Lisa, Age Twelve” for the Museum of Modern Art in 1961. Despite the dominance of Abstract Expressionism at the time, Botero’s portrait of a chubby-cheeked child caught the attention of the art world. The Museum of Modern Art exhibited it alongside the original Mona Lisa from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
This recognition propelled Botero to international fame. In 1979, he had a retrospective at the Hirschhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, presenting many of his corpulent figures that balanced between caricature and pathos.
Critics often denounced Botero’s work as banal, self-referential, and out of touch with contemporary art trends. However, his popularity with the public remained unaffected. His work was adored by ordinary people, a fact that irked some in the art world.
Botero’s personal life saw two tragic events. In the 1970s, his 5-year-old son, Pedro, was killed in a car crash that also injured the artist. Additionally, his son Fernando Botero Zea, who pursued a political career in Colombia and became the Minister of Defense, faced imprisonment due to a corruption scandal.
During the 1970s, Botero delved into sculpture, creating whimsical larger-than-life figures. Cities around the world clamored to display his sculptures, including New York’s Park Avenue. His artwork spanned different mediums, with many of his pieces on permanent display in unexpected spaces.
Botero also showcased his passion for collecting art. In 2000, he donated a portion of his collection to a museum in his hometown of Medellín, which included interpretations of masterpieces by renowned artists.
While Botero’s work often depicted authority figures and the folly of power, he also delved into religious themes and still life. In 2005, he surprised critics and the public alike with a series of graphic paintings based on the infamous Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal. The paintings emphasized the prisoners’ dignity and humanity while condemning their tormentors.
Botero’s legacy will undoubtedly live on through his iconic style and unique contributions to the art world. He is survived by his three children, grandchildren, and brother.
Ashley Shannon Wu contributed to this report.