Botero Museum
Andean Colombia Region
The Botero Museum, situated in the colonial heart of Bogotá, Colombia, is dedicated primarily to the works of the renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero. Opened in 2000, the museum houses 208 pieces, including 123 by Botero himself and 85 artworks from his private collection by international artists such as Picasso, Monet, Dalí, and Matisse. The museum is located in a colonial mansion in La Candelaria, carefully adapted to display the collection as Botero himself arranged it. The collection includes Botero's distinctive volumetric style paintings and sculptures, featuring notable works like his interpretation of the Mona Lisa and series depicting Colombia's history of violence. Beyond Botero's art, the museum offers a rich panorama of 19th and 20th-century European and modern art, including impressionist and surrealist works. Managed by the Bank of the Republic's cultural branch, the museum is part of a cultural complex that includes the Gold Museum and other important institutions. It attracts over half a million visitors annually and offers free admission, making it a vital cultural landmark in Bogotá.
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Tip: Visitors are encouraged to explore the museum during weekdays to avoid crowds and enjoy a more contemplative experience. Admission is free, but booking guided tours in advance can enhance understanding of the collection. The museum is best visited during the morning hours when natural light enhances the viewing of artworks. Students and groups can benefit from educational programs offered monthly. Photography is generally allowed without flash, but visitors should check current rules. Nearby cultural sites in La Candelaria can be combined for a full day of exploration.
Interesting facts
- •The museum's collection includes a Boterian version of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, regarded as one of Botero's most important paintings.
- •Fernando Botero donated not only his own works but also his extensive private collection of international art, including pieces by Picasso, Monet, and Dalí.
- •The museum is part of Bogotá's cultural complex that includes the Gold Museum and the Luis Ángel Arango Library.
- •Botero stipulated that none of the donated artworks could be loaned or relocated after installation, preserving the original curatorial arrangement.
- •The museum receives over 500,000 visitors annually and educates around 2,000 students each month.
History
Fernando Botero began collecting art in the late 1960s, initially focusing on pre-Columbian and colonial pieces before expanding to modern drawings, paintings, and sculptures.
Until 1999, his collection was dispersed across properties in New York, Paris, and elsewhere.
After delays in negotiations with the Museum of Antioquia in Medellín, Botero accepted Bogotá's mayor Enrique Peñalosa's offer to donate his collection to the Bank of the Republic.
In 2000, Botero donated 208 pieces, including his own works and those of international artists, leading to the founding of the Botero Museum in a colonial mansion in La Candelaria.
The collection was declared a national cultural heritage asset in 2012.
Botero's funeral rites were held at the museum, underscoring its cultural significance.
Place Guide
Colonial Mansion BuildingColonial period
The museum is housed in a beautifully preserved colonial mansion in La Candelaria, adapted to display Botero's collection as per his curatorial vision, reflecting both historical architecture and cultural heritage.
Fernando Botero's Art CollectionPrimarily late 20th century
A comprehensive display of 123 paintings, drawings, pastels, and sculptures by Botero, showcasing his signature volumetric style and themes ranging from reinterpretations of classical art to depictions of Colombian social issues.
International Art Collection19th and 20th centuries
Featuring 85 works from Botero's private collection by international masters such as Balthus, Georges Braque, Marc Chagall, Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, Sonia Delaunay, Claude Monet, and Henri Matisse.
Contact
Phone: (601) 3431316