Fernando Botero

I’ve always admired the works of Fernando Botero. Most of his conceptual works are paintings or the use of pastels. His colors are lively for surrounding area and clothes for the figures. The skins of his figures are dull white of brown color. He also gives expression to his figures even to the cats he depicts some of the cats have a Cheshire like expression.

Fernando Botero, Abu Ghraib Scene,
2005, oil on canvas

One of his recent works involved the incident in Abu Ghraib. His figures would be considered fat, but these figures are not proportionally correct. The eyes, nose, and mouth are too close together and usually the women he portrays in his painting have small breast and hands also exaggerated love handles and thighs. He states the proportions of his figures are not directed toward obese people. Also they are not comical depending in the work. He likes painting and sculpting this way. It has worked for him, many around the world know what works are Botero’s because of these large figures. 

           This piece is from his collection of Abu Ghraib events he wanted to bring attention. It relates to the photos that were taken of these detainees, but he adds the unique disproportion man. The man is blinded folded and is both emaciated with the ribs showing on the skin and fat with the large thighs and neck. Death resembling skeleton characters from Mexico embraces this detainee. He adds streaks of blood like tears around his body and viewer can see the pain coming from the detainees face with his depiction of anguish cries.

Fernando Botero, The Dancers, 2002 pastel, 56'x46.5'

Although Botero hasn’t really lived in Columbia after his world wide fame (only visiting once an year), he has painted the problems coming from his country. Columbia having the top spot in most violent country in the North and South America has issues of human right abuse mainly between the government and drug lords. He conceptual works involves the depiction of violence and death. Most of these works are like a stop motion painting. They show victims, but sometimes  he shows corrupt families in portrait like settings. He also displays the good times in Columbia like dancing, lovers, still lives, and cats. This painting The Dancers focuses these large couple movement and colors in their clothes in this night setting.

Fernando Botero, Cat, smooth bronze

           Botero sculptures are also unique because he uses the same method of adding every figure large and thick. He also use a smooth bronze for his sculptures given them a shiny stone like appearance. They are fairly large pieces and are found throughout the world. His works are very interesting to look and interpret from.