Sotheby's is set to open a significant exhibition titled "Botero in New York," presented in partnership with the Fernando Botero Foundation. This unique showcase, running from July 22 to September 7, will feature a selection of works by Fernando Botero that have rarely been seen by the public. These pieces primarily originate from the artist's impactful period in New York City, spanning from 1960 to 1973, before his eventual relocation to Paris. The collection draws from both the Botero family's private holdings and various other private collections, with certain artworks being made available for private sale.
This exhibition marks a notable milestone for Sotheby's, as it is the first dedicated solo artist presentation at the Breuer building since the auction house moved to the iconic location. This venue, which previously housed the Whitney Museum and served as an annex for the Met's contemporary art collection, holds a rich artistic heritage. Earlier this year, Sotheby's initiated its "In Residence" program, which notably brought three paintings by JoaquĆn Sorolla from the Hispanic Society Museum & Library to the Breuer building, demonstrating a commitment to curated artistic experiences.
Anna Di Stasi, Sotheby's global head of Latin American art, highlighted the rationale behind choosing Botero for this inaugural single-artist exhibition at the Breuer building. She emphasized Botero's direct connection to both New York and a global audience, noting that the city was instrumental in the artist's development of his distinctive visual language, which has made him one of the most recognizable figures in 20th-century art. His artworks, including paintings and monumental sculptures, have transcended geographical and cultural boundaries for over six decades, and this exhibition serves as a return to the very city where his global artistic identity first took shape.
The exhibition, encompassing over 20 works, aims to chronicle the evolution of Botero's characteristic style, famously known as Boterismo, which features plump, rounded figures in captivating settings. Upon his arrival in New York, the art scene was predominantly abstract, with Minimalism and Conceptualism gaining prominence. Botero's figurative creations, often imbued with humor, can be seen as both a response to and a divergence from these prevailing artistic movements.
The Botero family underscored New York's profound significance in the artist's journey, stating that it was in this city that he steadfastly pursued the refinement of his artistic language while upholding his creative principles. His global travels eventually led him to New York, a period that proved to be a pivotal chapter in his life. Here, he engaged with artists, critics, collectors, and museums, all of whom played a crucial role in shaping his distinguished career.
Di Stasi elaborated on the curatorial approach for the exhibition, explaining that the primary goal was to illustrate the progression of Botero's artistic expression over time and to illuminate the formal decisions that culminated in his mature style. This involved selecting works that resonated with one another across the exhibition, whether through their spatial composition, volumetric treatment, relationship to art history, or their portrayal of everyday Colombian themes. The earlier works on display reveal an artist still in exploration, drawing inspiration from Old Master compositions, popular imagery, and Colombian visual culture, while the pieces created in New York demonstrate a growing assurance in the compressed space and volumetric quality that would become central to his oeuvre.
This exhibition is not intended as a comprehensive retrospective of Botero's entire body of work. Instead, it focuses on bringing together pieces that have rarely been exhibited collaboratively. Their importance lies not only in their individual merit but also in the collective insights they offer, revealing a more intricate creative process than the widespread perception of a fully developed style might suggest. The curatorial team approached the exhibition with a specific artistic inquiry rather than simply compiling a list of well-known images.
The "Botero in New York" exhibition is a rare opportunity to delve into the formative years of a world-renowned artist. Through a carefully curated selection of works, it provides a compelling narrative of Botero's artistic evolution, particularly his time in New York, and showcases the depth and complexity behind his iconic aesthetic. Visitors will gain a deeper appreciation for the journey of an artist who dared to define his own path amidst prevailing trends, ultimately leaving an indelible mark on the global art landscape.