Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center

May 30 – August 16, 2009

Bring a friend, and enter to win a Chihuly lithograph!

» Read Botero news coverage on the FAC Blog

» Watch a photo slideshow from opening night

"Stunningly majestic" –Colorado Springs Independent
"It feels much like the Louvre" –The Gazette
"Ambitious, appealing" –The Denver Post

**Visiting from out of town? Check out our discounted Botero lodging specials.**

The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center is pleased to present, The Baroque World of Fernando Botero, the artist’s first American retrospective in over 30 years.

The unforgettable works of the Colombian painter, sculptor, and draftsman resonate with thought-provoking political and social commentary. His exaggeratedly rounded forms depict the comedy of human life – moving or wry, baroque in expression, sometimes with a mocking observation, sometimes with a deep, elementary emotion.

Drawn exclusively from Botero’s private collection, the 100 works featured in this exhibition, including previously unpublished paintings and drawings, represent the full scope of his oeuvre from a uniquely personal perspective. Many of these—portraits of friends and family members and remembered scenes—have remained in the artist’s possession since their creation, while others he has bought back over the years as markers of significant developments in his career.

The Fine Arts Center is the only Colorado museum to host this exhibition, one on a very limited nationwide tour.

“Fernando Botero is one of the most successful and celebrated artists working today, and the sculptures, paintings and drawings of this exhibit reflect his radical and unique style. From gigantic bronzes of voluptuous women to stunningly beautiful paintings based on works by Diego Velázquez, Piero della Francesca and other great masters, this exhibition is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Botero’s engaging and dramatic works." — FAC Curator Tariana Navas-Nieves

Group tours can be arranged by contacting the FAC at 719.477.4345 or at tours@csfineartscenter.org.

The exhibition is presented in eight sections corresponding to specific themes:

Citing Precedent: Evoking Tradition
Picturing Anguish: Latin American Colonial Baroque
The Mind’s Eye: Homage to His Masters
Symbols of Transience: Foreboding Still Lifes
Images of Power: Aspects of Violence
Vivid Reflections: The South American Way
Expressive Subtlety: Master Drawings
Play of Volumes: Boterian Baroque

Read an in-depth narrative about the exhibition themes.

Catalogue

The Baroque World of Fernando Botero is accompanied by a fully illustrated, full-color exhibition catalogue. Author Dr. Sillevis is the creator of more than 20 important exhibitions since 1978 on subjects ranging from Van Gogh and the Hague School to Frida Kahlo and Degas. In addition to individual entries and full-color illustrations of all of the objects in the exhibition, and numerous comparative images, this scholarly catalogue includes an introductory essay by Dr. Sillevis, entitled "Botero's Baroque." Additional essays in the catalogue include "Fernando Botero: A Painter of Lost and Angry Pictures" by Dr. David Elliott, Director of the Mori Arts Center in Tokyo, and "Fernando Botero: Critical Strategies" by Dr. Edward J. Sullivan, Dean of the Humanities and Professor of Fine Art, New York University. The book also includes a biography of the artist, a list of Botero's works in public collections, a list of selected solo exhibitions, a select bibliography, and an index. The catalogue is published by Art Services International.

More books from the FAC...

This exhibition is organized and circulated by Art Services International, Alexandria, Virginia.

The Baroque World of Fernando Botero is sponsored by:


Hispanidad \| La Casita Patio Café \| Univision

For information on promotional and sponsorship opportunities, contact Scott Penner, FAC Director of Development:
719.477.4344 | spenner@csfineartscenter.org

Fine Arts Center − 30 West Dale Street