Fernando Botero

Date of Birth: April 19, 1932

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Biography

Fernando Botero Angulo, born on April 19, 1932, in Medellín, Colombia, is one of the most celebrated and recognizable artists in the world. Known for his unique style characterized by exaggerated and voluptuous figures, Botero’s work spans painting, sculpture, and drawing. His distinctive aesthetic, often referred to as “Boterismo,” captures the essence of human and animal forms in a manner that both critiques and celebrates society. Raised in a modest family, Botero’s early exposure to bullfighting and baroque architecture significantly influenced his artistic development. He studied at the Academia de San Fernando in Madrid and later moved to Paris and New York, where his career flourished. Botero’s works are housed in prestigious collections worldwide, and he has received numerous awards for his contributions to art. He continues to create and exhibit new works, maintaining a prolific output well into his later years.

5 Interesting Facts about Fernando Botero

1. Fernando Botero’s art is characterized by the depiction of figures with exaggerated, voluminous proportions, a style that has become his trademark.

2. Botero’s first significant exposure came from a controversial exhibition in Bogotá in 1951, which sparked both acclaim and criticism.

3. His sculpture “The Hand” is one of the most iconic public artworks and can be seen in Madrid, Spain.

4. Botero has donated many of his works to museums, including the Botero Museum in Bogotá, which houses a substantial collection of his artworks.

5. Despite his international success, Botero remains deeply connected to Colombia, and his works often reflect his cultural heritage and social critiques.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Fernando Botero

1. “Art should be an oasis: a place or refuge from the hardness of life.”

2. “In art, as long as you have ideas and think, you are bound to deform nature. Art is deformation.”

3. “The importance of a work of art is determined by the number of memories it creates.”

4. “An artist is attracted to certain kinds of form without knowing why. You adopt a position intuitively; only later do you attempt to rationalize or even justify it.”

5. “The challenge for an artist is always to find his own way to express himself.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth Fernando Botero has achieved is estimated to be around $200 million.

Children

Fernando Botero has three children: 1. Fernando Botero Zea, a former Colombian Minister of Defense. 2. Lina Botero, an art historian and curator. 3. Juan Carlos Botero, a writer.