Fernando Botero: A Universal Master

February 14th - July 20th, 2025

PALAU MARTORELL

Carrer Ample, 11. Barcelona. Spain

The largest exhibition of Fernando Botero's work ever held in Spain, and the first major one dedicated to him in Barcelona, is presented in the mentioned city. It is a collaboration between the Palau Martorell, Arthemisia and the Fernando Botero Foundation.

The exhibition, curated by Lina Botero and Cristina Carrillo de Albornoz, explores Fernando Botero's extraordinary versatility in the use of different pictorial techniques and the richness that this meant for his work. The exhibition brings together a collection of more than 110 pieces, many of them unpublished, from private collections, including sculptures, oil paintings, watercolours, sanguine, charcoal and pencil drawings.

A little over a year after his death, the Palau Martorell is hosting the most comprehensive exhibition of paintings ever held in Spain, paying tribute to Fernando Botero (Medellín, Colombia, 1932-Monaco, 2023), one of the most important artists of the 20th century who is already part of the History of Art. His creative, original and novel approach, through a language of monumental volumes and vibrant colour, gave rise to a style of his own, Boteroism, which makes his work immediately recognisable.

Fernando Botero: A Universal Master also examines the Colombian artist's important relationship with Spain and Italy, as well as the crucial influence that both countries had on his work. For this reason, two exceptional works will be on view for the first time in our country: a version of Las Meninas by Velázquez, which has always hung in his Parisian studio, and Homage to Mantegna, an extraordinary loan from a private collection in the United States, recently discovered by Lina Botero through Christie's. In addition to these pieces are, among others, his iconic series with the classic themes dear to his heart, such as those dedicated to Latin America, the circus, religion, mythology, still life and his versions of masterpieces from the history of art.

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