Fernando Botero was a Colombian painter, sculptor, and draftsman, recognized worldwide for his unique style characterized by the monumentality and volume of his figures which was baptized as “Boterism”.
The Boterism is an unmistakable artistic style that bears the unique signature of the renowned Colombian painter Fernando Botero. It is characterized by the exaggeration of shapes and the prominence of rounded and voluminous figures. This aesthetic has earned him worldwide recognition, making him at his time the easiest living artist to identify, this left an indelible mark in the history of contemporary art.
One of the most distinctive features of this style is the reinterpretation of reality through exaggeration. Botero transforms the ordinary into extraordinary by amplifying the proportions of his subjects and adding valuable meaning to each object within the canvas.
In Botero’s paintings we can usually see robust and monumental characters who fill the canvas with their imposing volume regardless of the theme of their creations, because Botero’s works cover a wide range of issues: from portraits and traditional scenes to reinterpretations of masterpieces of Western art. Through his paintings, Botero offers a reflection on the human condition and the complexities of contemporary society, as he did not seek simply to represent reality objectively, but to infuse it with an emotional and symbolic charge.
In addition, in the Boterism it’s common the absence of perspective within the compositions; because Botero chose to repress the subjects of front, eliminating the sensation of depth and creating a feeling of flatness on the canvas to highlight the monumentality of the figures and emphasize their presence in the pictorial space.
The Boterism has transcended the borders of Colombia to become a globally recognized artistic movement. Botero’s paintings and sculptures are exhibited in the world’s leading museums and are appreciated by collectors and art lovers of all cultures.
Beyond its aesthetic value, the Boterism has a profound cultural significance. It represents the Colombian identity and the country’s struggle against violence and inequality. Botero’s works are a reminder of the beauty and strength of the human spirit, even in the most difficult circumstances.
