Bogotá’s Botero Museum is Voluptuous in More Ways than One
By Sidney Marr
Before moving to Colombia, my knowledge of art in the country was quite minimal and limited to only one well-known artist, Fernando Botero. Botero was introduced to me for the first time in one of my high school Spanish classes. The unique and voluptuous style he uses to portray anything — from people to animals to food — made a long-lasting impression on my perception of art, as well as of Colombia itself. A select few pieces of his work are displayed in art museums and galleries across the U.S. However, the Botero Museum located in the heart of Bogotá’s La Candelaria district offers an exquisite display of more than 100 of Botero’s own sketches, paintings, and sculptures, along with dozens of pieces from his personal collection by a variety of acclaimed and notable artists such as Picasso, Monet, Matisse, Klimt, and Dali.
One of the beauties of the museum lies in the kind and giving nature of the terms Botero negotiated before he died: that the museum would always remain free to the public, the collection would remain in Bogotá, and the museum would have an educational purpose. Conveniently located in La Candelaria, the most historic and tourist-centered neighborhood of Bogotá, the museum attracts nearly 1,000 visitors per day (except for Tuesdays, when the museum is closed). It is a short stride from the Plaza de Bolivar and is surrounded by delicious, typical Colombian restaurants and beautiful, colorful architecture.
As you enter the museum, a giant hand sculpture can be found directly in front of you; large and chubby, it's a perfect introduction to what you are about to see throughout the museum. As you wander through the galleries, you will see both sculptures and paintings of animals, food, and people all depicted as oversized. This very style is what separates him from other artists and can arguably be considered the reason he is the most well-known Colombian artist.
The Botero museum is definitely worth a visit as it is a stunning introduction to the art world of Colombia, and you can experience beautiful masterpieces from an eclectic array of artists, free of charge. The courtyard in the center of the museum is an art display on its own, adding perfectly to the charm of the area and the exhibition. So, if you find yourself bored or in search of an activity while in Bogotá, the Botero Museum is a great way to fill your time and will offer a new perspective on how beauty is portrayed.
Museo Botero
Calle 11 #4-41
La Candelaria, Bogotá, Colombia
Hours:
Monday: 9am - 7pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday - Saturday: 9am - 7pm
Sunday: 10am - 5p