When was fernando botero born

In memory of Latin America’s best-known artist, we take a look at Fernando Botero’s paintings and sculptures which address subjects ranging from the Old Masters to bullfighting and domestic life

Fernando Botero photographed in 2001. Photo: Pool Cochard/Merillon/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Artist Fernando Botero had a tough start to life

Botero was born in 1932 in Medellín, Colombia. Located in a valley of the Andes mountain range, Medellín was at that time a relatively small and isolated city. His father, David, was a travelling salesman who died suddenly at the age of 40, leaving a four-year-old Botero, his two brothers and his mother, who worked as a seamstress, destitute.

Botero was enrolled to train as a bullfighter

Botero began drawing and painting watercolours as a young child. In 1944 an uncle, who had taken on an important role in family life following the death of his father, e Fernando botero brothers.