“The greatest gift that a Colombian has given to his country.” These were the words of a local newspaper when Botero donated a magnificent art collection to the Banco de la República. The collection is composed of Botero’s artwork and other renowned artists.

Fernando Botero is a Colombian artist that has enchanted the world with his famous proportionally exaggerated characters that suggest an element of political criticism and a refined sense of humor.

Botero is a figurative artist and sculptor from Medellín, Colombia. He is known for his unique style, also called by some as ‘Boterismo.’ He’s considered as one of the most recognized living artists in Latin America, being the most acclaimed Colombian artist. He exhibited his pieces in 1948 for the first time and became a national eminence in 1958 when he won an award at the Salón de Artistas Colombianos (Hall Colombian Artists). From 1966 to 1975, he divided his time among Europe, New York, and Colombia.