Fernando Botero (1932–2023), Lady from Colombia

Lithograph, Carta Cotone vellum paper, 40 x 49 cm (inner dimensions of the mat), 65 x 56 (with mat), limited edition, hand-numbered in pencil 63/300, signed on the plate beneath the composition “Botero” (lower left), publisher’s dry stamp (lower right): “ARTIS”; “verification of authenticity” hologram on the reverse. Original certificate.

Fernando Botero—a Colombian painter and sculptor known for his voluminous stylizations of figures and objects. His work encompasses themes such as everyday life in Colombia, references to art history—such as the Mona Lisa—and abuses of power—all of which are united by Botero’s exaggeratedly plump figures. This stylization has been dubbed “Boterismo.” His works are currently in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Museo Botero in Bogotá, which is dedicated to the artist and his work.

His works depict figures and objects in exaggerated, plump forms, which is his trademark.

In the painting “Lady from Colombia,” we see a characteristic scene full of irony, yet also warmth—qualities that define Botero’s work. A plump woman, reclining in a sensual pose, is the central figure of the work. Her body, as in most of the artist’s paintings, has monumental, rounded shapes. She lies on a soft bed or sofa eating a doughnut—which heightens the impression of comfort and pleasure, hedonism, and the celebration of everyday joys.

Botero’s works, such as the one presented here, reveal beauty in unconventional forms, prompting the viewer to reflect on our cultural norms of beauty and pleasure. In his paintings, the artist also pays homage to Colombian culture, often highlighting its richness and everyday life, but with a sense of distance and humor.

Fernando Botero’s works can be admired in many museums, galleries, and public spaces around the world: the Botero Museum in Bogotá is one of the most important venues where his works can be seen. The museum houses over 120 of the artist’s works, which Botero donated to Colombia.
Botero’s works can be found, among other places, at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and in many galleries in Manhattan; his sculptures are frequently featured in public exhibitions, such as on Park Avenue in New York City.