Fernando Botero was a prolific Columbian painter and a lover of the arts. Visit the Botero Museum and see his influential paintings alongside works by globally influential artists like Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso. The museum's collection began in 2000, when Botero donated his collection of more than 200 paintings and sculptures.
The west wing of the museum is dedicated to the museum's namesake. Peruse displays of over 123 works by the artist, including paintings, drawings and sculptures. These works were created in the late 20th century. Notice Botero’s tendency to create voluptuous figures. Amongst prominent paintings, admire the Pareja Bailando and Monalisa, which was a caricature recreation of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
Browse Botero’s collection of pencil drawings and spot carefully sketched portraits of French artists Paul Cézanne and Gustave Courbet. The sculpture section displays Botero's voluptuous style in 3-D. Highlights include Hombre a Caballo and El Sueño.
In the museum's east wing, delight in a collection of 85 international artworks. This collection includes famed names such as Francis Bacon, Joan Miró, Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Stop and admire Salvador Dalí’s sculpture Busto Retrospectivo de Mujer (Retrospective Bust of a Woman) and Pablo Picasso’s Hombre Sentado con Pipa (Seated Man with Pipe). The exhibit is ordered chronologically, spanning works from 19th-century French impressionist paintings to 20th-century modern art.
The Botero Museum is part of La Manzana Cultural (Cultural Square), found in La Candelaria district. Walk there from Bolívar in downtown Bogotá or get the metro to a nearby stop. Drivers can park for a fee at the Luis Angel Arango Library.
The museum is open daily, except for Tuesdays. Admission is free, although the informative audio guides costs a small fee. Opening hours and a schedule for guided tours can be found on the official museum website.
