©Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP
The Eternal City pays tribute to Colombian artist Fernando Botero, who passed away last year at the age of 91, through an outdoor exhibition of monumental sculptures scattered throughout the historic center of Rome.
From July 10 to October 15, 2024, eight colossal works by Botero, famous for his paintings and sculptures of corpulent figures, will be presented to Romans and visitors from around the world. Titled “Botero a Roma,” this exhibition is curated by Lina Botero, the artist’s daughter, who describes her father’s work as “a permanent celebration of life.” Among the exhibited sculptures are Seated Woman, Gatto, Reclining Woman, Venus Dormida, Horse with Bridle, Standing Man (Adam), and Standing Woman (Eve). These oversized creations of men, women and animals are placed in iconic locations in the Italian capital, including the Terrace of Pincio, Piazza del Popolo, Largo dei Lombardi, Piazza di San Lorenzo in Lucina, Piazza Mignanelli and Piazza San Silvestro.
Lying Woman, a bronze sculpture dating from 2003, is displayed on the Terrace of Pincio. This piece perfectly embodies Botero’s characteristic style, known as “Boterismo,” which is distinguished by exaggerated proportions and generous volumes. The sculpture depicts a reclining woman, embodying the sensuality and fullness dear to the Colombian artist.
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This outdoor exhibition precedes a major retrospective dedicated to Botero, which will open in September 2024 at the Palazzo Bonaparte in Rome. This series of events highlights the importance of the Colombian artist in the international art scene and his deep connections with Italy.
Indeed, Fernando Botero had a special relationship with Italy, a country he traveled through in the 1950s to study the works of Italian Renaissance painters, particularly Piero della Francesca. This influence is evident in his work, where volumes and proportions play a central role, reminiscent of certain characteristics of Renaissance art.
Botero’s attachment to Italy was evident throughout his life. He had a summer residence in Pietrasanta, Tuscany, where he worked each year in his studio. He was an honorary citizen of this city, and he was buried there alongside his wife, Greek artist Sophia Vari, who passed away a few months before him.
The exhibition “Botero a Roma” is part of a tradition of outdoor exhibitions of the Colombian artist’s works. Notable examples include the exhibition “Botero in Hong Kong,” held on the waterfront of Hong Kong, also featuring monumental sculptures by the artist.
Botero’s work is characterized by an exploration of human experiences, tinged with a socio-political perspective and subtly ironic humor. His typical subjects, found in this Roman exhibition, offer a journey through the artist’s intriguing aesthetics. Botero often described his work as born from a “passion for volumes,” a passion that is clearly reflected in each of the pieces exhibited in Rome.
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