Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Fernando Botero

Discover the career path of Fernando Botero, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Fernando Botero was a renowned Colombian artist and sculptor celebrated for his distinctive "Boterismo" style. This style features figures and objects depicted with exaggerated volume, often carrying elements of political commentary or humor. As Latin America's most recognized artist during his life, his works have been exhibited in prominent locations globally, including Park Avenue and the Champs-Élysées. Botero's art is characterized by its unique aesthetic and cultural significance.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1948: First Exhibition

In 1948, Botero's work was first exhibited in a group show alongside other artists from the region.

1948: First Illustrations Published

In 1948, at the age of 16, Botero had his first illustrations published in El Colombiano, a major newspaper in Medellín, and used the money to attend high school.

1949: Worked as a Set Designer

From 1949 to 1950, Botero worked as a set designer, before moving to Bogotá in 1951.

1950: Worked as a Set Designer

From 1949 to 1950, Botero worked as a set designer, before moving to Bogotá in 1951.

1951: Moved to Bogotá

In 1951, Botero moved to Bogotá and held his first one-man show at the Galería Leo Matiz shortly after his arrival.

1956: Exhibitions in Washington D.C. and Mexico City

During 1956, Botero had exhibitions in both Washington D.C. and Mexico City, receiving little critical acclaim despite good sales.

1958: Exhibitions in Washington D.C. and Mexico City

During 1958, Botero had exhibitions in both Washington D.C. and Mexico City, receiving little critical acclaim despite good sales.

1958: First Prize at the Salón de Artistas Colombianos

In 1958, Botero gained national prominence by winning first prize at the Salón de Artistas Colombianos.

1958: Won Salón de Artistas Colombianos

In 1958, Botero won the ninth edition of the Salón de Artistas Colombianos, marking an important achievement in his career.

1961: MOMA Acquired Painting

In 1961, Botero's reputation improved after the New York Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) acquired his painting, Mona Lisa, Age Twelve.

1964: First Attempts at Sculpture

Around 1964, Botero made his first attempts to create sculptures using acrylic resin and sawdust due to financial constraints.

1964: Pope Leo X Painting

In 1964, Botero created the painting Pope Leo X, which became a popular internet meme.

1973: Move to Paris and Start of Sculpting

In 1973, Botero moved to Paris and began creating sculptures, marking a new phase in his artistic career.

1977: Exhibited Bronze Sculptures

In 1977, Botero exhibited his characteristic bronze sculptures for the first time at the Grand Palais in Paris.

1979: Created painting Los Músicos

Botero created painting Los Músicos in 1979. It became the cover illustration for Mario Vargas Llosa's 2023 novel Le dedico mi silencio

1999: Violence in Colombia

Botero's series of drawings and paintings created between 1999 and 2004 dealt with the violence in Colombia.

November 2000: Interview About Style

In November 2000, Botero provided insights on his stylistic development, including the painting of enlarged figures, which became his trademark.

2000: Interview with the Los Angeles Times

During an interview in November 2000 with the Los Angeles Times, Botero recounted how he lost the money he earned from selling his first painting.

2000: Donations to Museums in Bogotá and Medellín

In 2000, Botero donated 123 pieces of his work and 85 pieces from his personal collection to the Museo Botero in Bogotá, as well as 119 pieces to the Museum of Antioquia, including 23 bronze sculptures for Botero Plaza.

2003: Painted Maternity Composition

In 2003, Botero painted a composition for Maternity, which he would repeat in 2006.

2004: Exhibition of Violence in Colombia Series

In 2004, Botero exhibited a series of 27 drawings and 23 paintings dealing with the violence in Colombia from 1999 through 2004, and donated the works to the National Museum of Colombia.

2005: Abu Ghraib Series

In 2005, Botero gained attention for his Abu Ghraib series, based on reports of United States forces' abuses of prisoners during the Iraq War.

2006: Returned to Themes of Early Life

In 2006, after focusing on the Abu Ghraib series, Botero returned to themes of his early life, such as family and motherhood, in his art.

2007: Exhibition in the United States

In 2007, the Abu Ghraib series was exhibited at two United States locations, including Washington, DC. Botero said he would donate the works to museums.

2008: Exhibition of The Circus Collection

In 2008, Botero exhibited the works of his The Circus collection, featuring 20 works in oil and watercolor.

2009: Donation to Berkeley Art Museum

In 2009, the Berkeley Art Museum acquired 56 paintings and drawings from Botero's Abu Ghraib series as a gift from the artist.

2010: Interview on Returning to Simpler Subjects

In a 2010 interview, Botero said he was ready for other subjects and would return to the simplest things: still lifes.

2016: Donation of La paloma de la paz

In 2016, Botero sculpted and donated La paloma de la paz to the Government of Colombia to commemorate the signing and ratification of the peace agreement.