Works by late figurative artist and sculptor, Fernando Botero, can currently be seen on view at Palau Martorell, Barcelona; the Colombian — whose signature style was known as ‘Boterismo,’ depicting people and figures in large, exaggerated volume — regarded as one of the most important artists of the 20th century with his immediately recognisable work.
Curated by Lina Botero and Cristina Carrillo de Albornoz, and in collaboration with the Fernando Botero Foundation, Fernando Botero: A Universal Master presents his largest exhibition ever held in Spain, and is the first major show dedicated to Botero in the Catalan capital.
Homenaje a Mantegna, 1958
Óleo sobre tela, 200 x 170 cm
Colección privada
Featuring over 110 pieces, most of them from private collections and never before displayed, the exhibition is split into ten sections that introduce the viewer to the most iconic themes and series, such as versions of art history masterpieces; his beloved Latin America; the circus; religion; still life; and themes of denunciation, such as those dedicated to the violence in Colombia and the torture that occurred in Abu Ghraib, Iraq.
Open to the public from 14 February and remaining on view until 20 July, the show includes sculptures, oil paintings, watercolours, sanguines, charcoals and pencil drawings, highlighting Botero’s iconic and original style, a little over a year after his death. Born in Medellín, Colombia, in 1932, Botero began painting at a young age making a name for himself on the international art scene in 1961, when the Museum of Modern Art in New York purchased his Mona Lisa, Age Twelve (1959).
La Menina, según Velázquez, s.f
Óleo sobre lienzo, 198 x 160 cm
Colección privada
El baño, 1989
Óleo sobre lienzo, 164 x 116 cm
Colección privada
With his fame growing exponentially, Botero would spend every day and unto his last “learning the complex technique of painting.” In 2020, he was asked: “What would you like to do?” His simple response: “Learn how to paint. The wonderful thing about painting is that no one can say they know how to paint. Painting day in and day out takes you down new roads. It leads you never to stop practicing.”
Two noteworthy and rare works that can be admired in the exhibition include: La Menina, según Velázquez (La Menina, according to Velázquez), an essential piece never before exhibited to the general public as it was always hung in Botero’s studio in Paris; and Homenaje a Mantegna, from 1958, an extraordinary loan from a private collection in the United States, recently located after decades, by Lina Botero through Christie’s.
Produced and organised by Palau Martorell and Arthemisia in collaboration with the Fernando Botero Foundation, and in partnership with Clear Channel, Fernando Botero: A Universal Master honours the monumental legacy the artist left on the art world, and can be seen at Palau Martorell, Barcelona until 20 July.
Los Arnolfini, según Van Eyck, 2006
Óleo sobre tela, 205 x 165 cm
Colección privada
Cristo crucificado, 2000
Óleo sobre lienzo, 255 x 192 cm
Colección privada
El Picnic, 2001
Óleo sobre lienzo, 132 x 175 cm
Colección privada
Bailarina en la barra, 2001
Óleo sobre lienzo, 164 x 116 cm
Colección privada
La Fornarina, según Rafael, 2008
Óleo sobre tela, 198 x 143 cm
Colección privada
Baño del Vaticano, 2006
Óleo sobre tela, 147 x 205 cm
Colección privada
Madre e hijo, 2004
Óleo sobre lienzo, 37,5 x 44 cm
Colección privada
Sín título, 2004
Óleo sobre lienzo, 132 x 106 cm
Colección privada
