2 min readFernando Botero – Mona Lisa, 1978, 183 x 166 cm
What is Fernando Botero known for?
At the beginning of the late 1950s, an artist known as Fernando Botero emerged and started transforming painting from famous artists from Europe such as those of Peter Rueben and inflating them in an almost comical manner. Because he would often use rotund and overweight figures, his sculptures have always been accompanied by an air of pompous absurdity. His Mona Lisa portraits are no different.
Mona Lisa, Age Twelve, 1959
Botero’s ‘Mona Lisa, Age Twelve’ version of the Mona Lisa1 was painted in 1959. Deeply rooted in satire, Botero used inflated figures as his subjects perhaps to comment on the figure’s egos and feeling of self-importance. In painting the Mona Lisa in the way he did, he created an image that was so far removed and unlike the original painting currently housed at the Louvre, the final result almost felt like a joke or parody.
Fernando Botero – Mona Lisa, Age Twelve, 1959, oil and tempera on canvas, 211 x 195.5 cm (6′ 11 1/8 x 6′ 5 in.)
Analysis
In some ways, it can be said that he portrayed the Mona Lisa in her childhood- with chubby cheeks and a face that is naïve and cute- to begin his search for the origin of Mona Lisa’s smile, which is something that has plagued society for decades.
Where is Mona Lisa, Age Twelve?
Mona Lisa, Age Twelve can be found at Museo de Botero2, which is a historic museum situated in the well-known neighborhood of La Candelaria in Bogotá, Colombia. Like most of Botero’s works, Mona Lisa, Age Twelve was created in his classic style of depicting subjects in exaggerated proportions.
The original Mona Lisa painting
Leonardo da Vinci – Mona Lisa, 1503, Louvre Museum, photo: public domain
About the artist
Do your research and you will find that Fernando Botero is one of the globe’s most recognizable names in the art world. This best-selling Colombian artist is known primarily for his sculptures and paintings that consist of overblown human and animal shapes and characters. As one of the most successful Colombian figurative artist and sculptors of his time, Botero’s works are instantly recognizable.
Fernando Botero – Mona Lisa Age Nine, circa 1960, oil on canvas, 119.5 x 94 cm (47 × 37 in.)
A carrer of six decades
Born in Medellín, Botero’s obsession with oversized proportions has never wavered in the last six-plus decades that he has been in business. So far, his paintings are available for purchase for millions, which has made him not only one of Latin America’s most legendary living artists but also one of the most collectible as well.
Fernando Botero – Mona Lisa, 1959, Charcoal and Pastel, 132 x 106.7 cm. (52 x 42 in.)
The Boterismo style
This signature style, which is also commonly referred to in artist circles as “Boterismo”, has allowed Fernando to experience global success, fame, and recognition. Mona Lisa, Age Twelve and other pieces of Botero’s routinely sell for millions. However, the pieces can also be appreciated fully in various collections distributed in over 50 international museums.
Fernando Botero – Mona Lisa, 1959, oil on canvas, 163.8 x 130.8 cm (64 ½ x 51 ½ in.), image: Christie’s
All images by Fernando Botero unless otherwise noted.
