Exhibition «Fernando Botero. A universal master»

The exhibition entitled «Fernando Botero. A universal master» unfolds a visual narrative that travels through Botero’s singular universe. He is recognised around the world for his unmistakable style, boterismo, characterised by rounded figures and a vibrant colour palette.

Curated by Lina Botero and Cristina Carrillo de Albornoz, the exhibition brings together more than 110 works, including previously unseen sculptures, drawings, oils and watercolours, many from private collections and exhibited for the first time. This selection demonstrates Botero’s skill in masterfully manipulating volume and colour across a range of techniques.

The exhibition also delves into the influence Spain and Italy had on Botero’s work, revealing how these settings enriched his artistic palette. Key works include a personal interpretation of Velázquez’s «Las Meninas», always present in his Paris studio, and «Homage to Mantegna», a masterpiece hidden until recently and now presented in Spanish territory for the first time.

Through his iconic series, the exhibition explores themes that fascinated Botero: from everyday life in Latin America to elements of the circus, biblical passages, classical myths and still-life portraits. Each section offers a glimpse of the motifs that captured the master’s heart and brush, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in Boterian aesthetics and themes.

Produced and organised by Palau Martorell and Arthemisia, in collaboration with Fundación Fernando Botero, «Fernando Botero. A universal master» is not merely an exhibition, but a celebration of Botero’s transcendence and lasting impact on world art. This exhibition stands as a bridge between generations of admirers and critics, consolidating the legacy of an artist who carved his name with strokes of eternity.