Botero a Roma

Eight monumental statues, imposing and iconic creations by Fernando Botero, are on display for the first time in some of the city's most fascinating squares, thanks to Botero a Roma, the widespread exhibition dedicated to the extraordinary and singular productions of the Colombian artist who died in 2023.

Botero's works give us back his peculiar vision of the world animated by enlarged forms and limitless temporal dimensions, and Botero a Roma offers us the opportunity to admire them up close from a unique, privileged and dynamic perspective such as Rome's historic centre.

The exhibition route starts at the Pincio Terrace, one of the panoramic viewpoints from which to admire one of the most beautiful views of Rome with Reclining Woman (2003) and Venus Dormida (1994), and continues to Piazza del Popolo where Standing Man (Adamo) and Standing Woman (Eva) emerge as columns next to the Flaminian Obelisk, to Via del Corso with the famous Horse with Bridle (2009), to Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina with Gatto (1999), to Piazza San Silvestro with Seated Woman (2000) and to Piazza Mignanelli with Seated Woman (1991).

Fernando Botero's sculptures and paintings are characterised by a unique style of inflated proportions, proud witnesses to the artist's obsession with volume, satire and political commentary.

Born in Medellin, Colombia, in 1932, Botero held his first solo exhibition at the Galería Leo Matiz in Bogotá when he was only 19 years old. In 1952, he travelled to Europe, first to Spain and then to Italy, where he studied the works of Italian Renaissance painters, in particular Piero della Francesca and Paolo Uccello. During this period he rationalised his natural inclination towards volume, which was also evident in his earlier works, inspired in part by pre-Columbian and Spanish colonial art.

Fernando Botero's work is a perennial celebration of life: according to the great Colombian artist, art should produce pleasure and be an oasis of joy in the midst of everyday difficulties.

Urban Vision Group, creative-tech media company and partner of the initiative, will amplify the visibility of the exhibition by broadcasting on maxi LEDs, positioned in central areas of the city near the sculptures, the map of the places where the eight works are on display, so that a chance encounter with one of them can be transformed into an opportunity to continue the journey to discover the other installations and squares of the city.

Botero a Roma is curated by Lina Botero and realised by the Fernando Botero Foundation in collaboration with Il Cigno GG Edizioni, BAM Eventi d'arte and Il Cigno Arte.

Photo: Fernando Botero, Reclining Woman, 2003, Bronze, 361x169x141 cm, Pincio Terrace