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The best-selling works of Fernando Botero

7 February, 2023

Without a doubt, Fernando Botero is one of the most sought-after artists in the art market today; in 2022, he himself broke his own sales record as the highest-valued living Latin American artist. These have been his best-selling works:

1. The Musicians and the 4 musicians (5.1M USD)

The previous owner had acquired this work on May 23, 2006 for the sum of 2 million 32 thousand dollars, and yesterday, almost two decades later, the same piece was sold for the impressive sum of 5 million 132 thousand dollars.

Fernando Botero’s “ The Musicians”, painted in 1979, manages to combine local and international influences with his experiences in Colombia and his knowledge of European art history.

2. Man on horseback (4.3M USD)

On March 11 at a Christie’s auction, Fernando Botero broke his own record as the highest-grossing living Latin American artist by selling his sculpture “Man on Horseback” for a total of $4.3 million. This piece was valued between 2 and 3 million dollars, but after ten minutes of auctioning it was left with a total value of more than 4 million.

The nearly 10-foot-tall bronze sculpture had been auctioned in 2016 at Sotheby’s for $1.84 million, rising 135% in value this year.

3. Dancers (3.92M)

On March 12, 2024, an artwork by Fernando Botero was the top sale at Christie’s Latin American art auction in New York.

Fernando Botero’s sculpture “Dancers” (2000) was the star of the auction when it sold for $3.92 million, 150% above its $1.5 million estimate.

The pre-sale budget was met with total auction proceeds of $14.24 million.

4. Adam and Eve (2.9M USD)

In 2018 the British house Bonhams auctioned the work who belonged to the collection of Saudi millionaire Walid Juffali. It is a more modern version of Botero’s 1999 sculpture, which is worth around 2.6M USD. This version is from 2003 and for 4 years was the most expensive work of art sold by a living Latin American artist (surpassed by another sculpture also by Fernando Botero).

“Adam and Eve”. formed by two bronze figures of more than three meters high.

The sculptures were located in a park in Surrey, England. At the same place where the auction was held.

5. Vase (2,7M USD)

On March 1, 2024, the auction “My friend Fernando Botero” was held in which it was auctioned for a total of 2,722,000 USD this 226×91 cm canvas that portrays roses, dahlias, primroses, sunflowers, and other flowers, in the best style of Fernando Botero.

This auction consisted of works by Maestro Fernando Botero from the private collection of Salomón and Rosita Lerner.

6. Playing cards (2,2M USD)

This 1988 canvas was auctioned in 2024 for a total value of USD 2,298,500, surpassing estimates of around one and a half million dollars.

This canvas is very theatrical and teaches us Botero in his best style: Volume, references to important works in the history of art, game of perspectives, surrealism and female nudity.

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