1694804476 Medellin on horseback by Fernando Botero

Medellín, on horseback by Fernando Botero

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The transformation of Medellín is inextricably linked to the work of Fernando Botero. It is difficult to imagine this city without its iconic sculptures, without the cat, the reclining woman, the man on horseback, the gladiator or the fat lady. His works stand proudly in various squares in Medellín and also remind us of the wounds of war, as the artist himself wished.

When the city was bombed by drug bombs in 1995 and an attack left the dove of peace that Botero had donated to the city half-destroyed, the artist asked that it be left as is, open and full of shrapnel. “I want the sculpture to remain as a reminder of the stupidity and criminality of Colombia,” he said at the time.

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Botero was born in 1932 into a humble environment and never left Medellín. He was informed about the debates about the city model until the end of his life. When current mayor Daniel Quintero recently decided to build fences around Plaza Botero in front of the Antioquia Museum, Botero sent a letter asking him to reconsider. “I have been closely following the news about Plaza Botero, both the news about security problems and the news about its closure. For this reason, I would like to express that my will has always been for this space to be available to all citizens and for the Museum of Antioquia to be its main custodian,” expressed the artist in a letter he sent to the director of the museum sent requested handover to the mayor’s office.

In 1997, when he was already a respected artist, Botero donated 23 of his sculptures to the city and began building the plaza that bears his last name and changed the image of Medellín forever. The square has always been inhabited by sex workers and street dwellers and was inaugurated in 2002. The square then became the epicenter of the city’s culture and also tourism. For years, it was home to sex workers, sculptures, and tourists and visitors who came to touch the tongue of the dog sculpture, the gladiator’s member.

Fernando Botero, the most universal Colombian artist, famous worldwide for his round and voluminous figures, has died at the age of 91. In the picture, Botero looks into the mirror in his studio in Paris (France) in 1982. Fernando Botero, the most universal Colombian artist, famous worldwide for his round and voluminous figures, has died at the age of 91. In the picture, Botero looks into the mirror in his studio in Paris (France) in 1982. Images Press (Getty Images)Maestro Botero, born in Medellín in 1932, was autodidact in the truest sense of the word. “Art should create joy, a certain tendency towards a positive feeling,” Botero himself explained in a 2019 interview with EL PAÍS.Maestro Botero, born in Medellín in 1932, was autodidact in the truest sense of the word. “Art should create joy, a certain tendency towards a positive feeling,” explained Botero himself in a 2019 interview with EL PAÍS.Daniel Mordzinski“He is a person who started from scratch and the only thing that was clear to him was his artistic calling, his ability to work, his passion for what he did. All this allowed him to move forward and swim many times against the prevailing currents in the art world,” his daughter Lina Botero defined him in 2019. In the picture the artist in his studio in New York in 1993.“He is a person who started from scratch and the only thing that was clear to him was his artistic calling, his ability to work, his passion for what he did. All this allowed him to move forward and swim many times against the prevailing currents in the art world,” his daughter Lina Botero defined him in 2019. In the picture the artist in his studio in New York in 1993.Chema ConesaThe artist devoted more than seventy years to his work, including sculptures, oil paintings, pastels, watercolors and drawings. In the picture, Botero is seen next to one of his works that was exhibited at the Marlborough Gallery in Madrid, Spain, in February 2019.The artist devoted more than seventy years to his work, including sculptures, oil paintings, pastels, watercolors and drawings. In the picture, Botero is seen next to one of his works that was exhibited at the Marlborough Gallery in Madrid, Spain, in February 2019. Luis SevillanoBotero's long journey had numerous stops. Although he came from a very humble background, his career began in the late 1940s as an illustrator for the newspaper El Colombiano. In the picture Fernando Botero in his studio on Rue du Dragon in Paris in 1985.Botero’s long journey had numerous stops. Although he came from a very humble background, his career began in the late 1940s as an illustrator for the newspaper El Colombiano. In the picture Fernando Botero in his studio on Rue du Dragon in Paris, 1985. Luz Díez-SolanoHe recognized himself early on as the heir to Piero della Francesca and the emergence of his distinctive style came at the age of 25 with a sketch of a mandolin that suggested his sense of monumentality. In the picture, Botero is working in his studio apartment in New York in 1993.He recognized himself early on as the heir to Piero della Francesca and the emergence of his distinctive style came at the age of 25 with a sketch of a mandolin that suggested his sense of monumentality. In the picture, Botero is working in his studio apartment in New York in 1993.Chema ConesaFernando BoteroHe was long considered one of the greatest living artists. However, the fame and popularity he had earned with his vibrant color paintings increased in the 1990s, when his giant bronze sculptures were exhibited in major capitals around the world. In the picture, Botero walks among some of his sculptures during an exhibition in the Piazza della Signiora in Florence.Pascal J Le Segretain (Sygma via Getty Images)A couple looks at the statues of Fernando Botero temporarily installed on the Paseo de Recoletos in Madrid on May 7, 1994. A couple looks at the statues of Fernando Botero temporarily installed on the Paseo de Recoletos in Madrid on May 7, 1994. Miguel GenerIn 1978 Botero married the Greek artist Sophia Vari, who died in May of that year. The picture shows Botero and Sophia Vari in their shared house in Paris in 2003.In 1978 Botero married the Greek artist Sophia Vari, who died in May of that year. The picture shows Botero and Sophia Vari in their shared house in Paris in 2003. Daniel MordzinskiIn the 1970s he moved to Paris, and it was there that the greatest tragedy struck him. He saw his son Pedro die in a truck accident when he was four years old. Botero himself lost part of his right hand, he was unable to paint for several months and had to undergo physical therapy. In the picture Fernando Botero in his home in Paris in 2003.In the 1970s he moved to Paris, and it was there that the greatest tragedy struck him. He saw his son Pedro die in a truck accident when he was four years old. Botero himself lost part of his right hand, he was unable to paint for several months and had to undergo physical therapy. In the picture Fernando Botero in his home in Paris in 2003. Daniel MordzinskiAlthough he has lived in Mexico, New York, Monaco and Paris, Botero never lost sight of his country. The memories of his childhood, of the world of Medellín in the 30s and 40s, inspired many of his works. In the picture, Botero is making a drawing of one of his future paintings in August 2001 in the studio of his home in Pietrasanta (Italy).Although he has lived in Mexico, New York, Monaco and Paris, Botero never lost sight of his country. The memories of his childhood, of the world of Medellín in the 30s and 40s, inspired many of his works. In the picture, Botero draws one of his future paintings in the studio of his home in Pietrasanta (Italy) in August 2001.Pool COCHARD/MERILLON (Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)Dozens of people ask Fernando Botero for an autograph during the presentation of one of his books on October 16, 2013 in New York. Dozens of people ask Fernando Botero for an autograph during the presentation of one of his books on October 16, 2013 in New York. Kathy Willens (AP)At the beginning of this century, he donated his entire art collection to Colombia, a decision that he considered the most important and satisfying of his life. In addition to the works exhibited in the museums in Bogotá and Medellín, another of his sculptures is perhaps the greatest testimony to the transformation of the capital of Antioquia and the terror to which it was subjected in times of narco-terrorism at the end of the last century. In the picture, Botero is seen next to some of his works in his studio in Paris in 1982.At the beginning of this century, he donated his entire art collection to Colombia, a decision that he considered the most important and satisfying of his life. In addition to the works exhibited in the museums in Bogotá and Medellín, another of his sculptures is perhaps the greatest testimony to the transformation of the capital of Antioquia and the terror to which it was subjected in times of narco-terrorism at the end of the last century. Pictured is Botero next to some of his works in his Paris studio in 1982.Images Press (Getty Images)Fernando BoteroIn addition to the works exhibited in the museums in Bogotá and Medellín, another of his sculptures is perhaps the greatest testimony to the transformation of the capital of Antioquia and the terror to which it was subjected in times of narco-terrorism at the end of the last century. In the picture, Botero is seen next to his painting entitled “Mother and Son” at an exhibition in Mexico City on March 15, 2001. Associated PressBotero Square in MedellinOn June 10, 1995, a bomb explosion in San Antonio Park in Medellín killed 26 people and destroyed Fernando Botero’s sculpture “The Bird.” The remains of this work remained as a defaced monument, and next to it the artist created another dove as a tribute to peace. This is how it continues today. The War and Peace of Colombia through its most universal artist. In the picture, on January 5, 2000, Botero presents his second pigeon next to the one destroyed by the bomb. Associated PressFernando Botero laughs next to a cake modeled after one of his sculptures during celebrations for his 80th birthday at the Botero Museum in Bogota April 19, 2012. Fernando Botero laughs next to a cake modeled after one of his sculptures at the celebration of his 80th birthday at the Botero Museum in Bogota on April 19, 2012. William Fernando Martinez (AP)The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, shared the news of his death on social networks with the following words: “Fernando Botero, the painter of our traditions and defects, the painter of our virtues, has died.” The painter of our violence and our peace". In the picture, Botero is working on one of his paintings in the studio of his home in Pietrasanta on June 1, 1999.The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, shared the news of his death on social networks with the following words: “Fernando Botero, the painter of our traditions and defects, the painter of our virtues, has died.” The painter of our violence and our peace. In the picture, Botero is working on one of his paintings in the studio of his home in Pietrasanta on June 1, 1999. Eric VANDEVILLE (Gamma Rapho via Getty Images)

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Gifts for Medellin

In addition to the square, Botero was also a supporter of museums. Botero always said that he owed his training as an artist to museums. In 2012, he donated the original paintings of Via Crucis, the series that marked a transformation of the themes he had explored since the 1950s. In it he depicts the injustice and abuse of power of today’s people, a version of piety that brings to mind mothers mourning their murdered children and a crucified Christ in the middle of New York’s Central Park.

Although he was already a globally recognized artist, Botero had a solo exhibition in Medellín in 1974 that is remembered by many. In a newly emerging art space in the Piloto public library, the artist presented his works and the then patron of the Zea Museum (now the Museum of Antioquia), Teresita de Santa María, informed him that she was getting a painting from him “in installments”. wanted to buy or by association (a form of checkbook payment common in the city). Botero burst out laughing and from then on the first of several donations took place (he ended up donating a total of 189 pieces), recalls María del Rosario Escobar, director of the Museum of Antioquia, in the “Distrito San Ignacio” podcast. This is how “Ex Voto” was created, a work in which the artist is seen kneeling before a virgin surrounded by snakes, with the note: “As the museum grows, you will receive more gifts.”

This was Botero for Medellín, a patron whose work shook the city forever. Today, the people of Medellin mourn him for seven days and pay tribute to him, but the gift is his work, which remains preserved in the city’s squares and streets.

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