Renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero passes away at 91

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - Fernando Botero, the most renowned Colombian painter and sculptor of all time, died on Friday at the age of 91.

The artist passed away during treatment for pneumonia in a hospital in Monaco, where he had lived and worked for decades.

The artist, who was born in 1932 in Medellin, Colombia, began his career as an illustrator for a local newspaper in the 1940s. His most iconic subjects are robust, full-bodied figures, intended to humanize his subjects.

Botero used his art as a tool for social commentary. He created a series of paintings and drawings inspired by the 2004 Abu Ghraib photographs depicting the abuse, humiliation, and torture of prisoners in Iraq by American soldiers.

Despite having lived in Mexico, New York, Monaco and Paris, Botero never lost sight of his country. In his work, he tackled the representation of the worst violence, corruption, and social injustice episodes, particularly in his native Colombia.

In 1995 a bomb in Medellin damaged the Pajaro de Paz, a dove with his signature that was exhibited in a city square, leaving 26 dead and hundreds wounded. Botero asked that it not be rebuilt. It was left as a disfigured monument, and next to it he made an identical dove as a tribute to peace. It remains so today.

Botero's works, which have been auctioned for millions of dollars, are all over the world: his paintings and sculptures have reached the most important museums, streets and squares of major cities, including Madrid, London, Paris, Bogota, and New York.

He dedicated more than 70 years to his work, and painted until his health allowed him to do so, just two days before his death.

His wife, artist Sophia Vari, died five months ago, leaving him with “an immense sadness,” said his daughter Lina Botero.

“Fernando Botero, the painter of our traditions and defects, the painter of our virtues, has died. The painter of our violence and peace,” said Colombian President Gustavo Petro on X.

​​Medellin's Botero Square, which has 23 of the artist's works, is welcoming hundreds of locals and tourists remembering his work. ​​​​​​​