Latin American art is mourning the death of Botero

The painter and sculptor, renowned for his voluminous figures, died at his residence in the Principality of Monaco at 9 a.m. local time.

The cause of his death is attributed to respiratory conditions that afflicted him during the last week of his life.

Botero, who had suffered from Parkinson's for several years, battled pneumonia that made it difficult for him to breathe in his last days.

According to his daughter, Lina Botero, his deteriorating health was compounded by the loss of his wife, Sophia Vari, who died of cancer in May of this year.

The departure of his muse and partner of 48 years of marriage was a hard emotional blow for the artist.

Despite the challenges of his illness, Botero never stopped creating.

He continued working in his studio, producing watercolors until his last days.

The career of Fernando Botero and his emblematic works

Fernando Botero, born in Medellín in 1932, stood out as one of the most important Latin American artists of the 20th century.

Throughout his prolific career, he created more than 3,000 paintings and 300 sculptures.

His unique style, characterized by robust and voluminous figures, made him a benchmark of contemporary art.

His works can be seen in museums and public spaces around the world, from Paris and Venice to Bogotá, Shanghai and Singapore.

From an early age, Botero demonstrated his artistic talent, participating as an illustrator in the newspaper El Colombiano in his adolescence and selling his drawings in the Bogotá bullring at the age of 15.

His career took him to the Royal Academy of Art of San Fernando in Madrid, where he left a mark on the international art scene.

In addition to his contribution to the art world, Botero stood out for his passion for bullfighting, presenting the exhibition "La Corrida" in 1992 and defending this Spanish tradition.

Throughout his career, he received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Guggenheim International Prize in 1957, the Order of Andrés Bello in 1976, the Silver Cross of the Boyacá Order in 1977, and the French Legion of Honor in 2002. among others.

The departure of Fernando Botero leaves a void in the art world and in the hearts of those who admired his talent and creativity.