Botero

Fernando Botero (1932) is Colombia's greatest, internationally acclaimed artist. He was born in Medellin in 1932, lost his Father in 1934 and was raised by a devoted, loving Mother. Parenthetically, he said of his Mother, "Her never failing words of encouragement helped me become an artist. Every one of my drawings was to her a thing of beauty." As the title states, this book presents only Botero's contemporary canvas works (1987 to present) and omits his sculptures. Botero has matched and grouped his work in eight sections. The full page color plates are good in quality, though not excellent. Botero's love of color and voluminous forms bring a surrealistic energy to his people, endowing them with a sensual persona. Noteworthy is that almost all of Botero's works shun shadows. He feels that "shadow is the enemy of color".The first fifty seven pages is the transcript of an informative and insightful interview of Botero by Ann Maria Escallon (director of the Art Museum of Americas, Washington, D.C.). This section is a 'must read' for any student or afficionado of Botero.This is a worthwhile addition to any art library. Though the reproductions could have been more vivid and sharper, this book is a wonderful expose of Botero's recent canvas works. Recommended