The Reina Sofía Foundation auctions a work by Botero, the profits of which will go to the Food Bank

‘Still Life’, an outstanding example of the maturity stage by Botero, painted in 2000, alludes to the universal act of sharing a meal with family and friends. The artist reminds the viewer of those less fortunate whose daily need for sustenance is not satisfied with a table laden with exotic fruits and abundant cake.

Botero’s delightful still lifes have their deep roots in his admiration for the Spanish painting of the great masters. The artist’s early contact with the Prado’s masterpieces significantly influenced his artistic development and appreciation for Velazquez, Goya and other luminaries of Spanish art throughout his life. Perfecting a style that combines volume and sensuality, reminiscent of those masters of the past but with a distinctive twist – his iconic ‘boterism’–, produced still lifes that provoked a dialogue between the past and the present. Its fusion of old and new, traditional and contemporary, kept the genre relevant and dynamic, particularly in Latin America.

Botero, died in September 2023 at age 91developed his own signature style and eschewed austere realism in favor of a whimsical grandeur that, while playful, also served a deeper purpose: to magnify the inherent beauty and often overlooked details of everyday objects, and elevate them. to a status of prominence and reverence. Unlike the work of Luis Meléndez, a prominent figure in 18th-century Spanish painting, Botero filled his canvases with larger than life-sized objects, creating a sense of abundance and opulence. With its great tropical fruits and its lush surroundingsthis ‘Still Life’ is an excellent example.

Anna di Stasi, director of Latin American art at Sotheby’s, says that this work “is a vibrant tribute to the commitment that the artist maintained throughout his life with the celebration of beauty of everyday life. The work draws inspiration from the opulent still lifes of the old Spanish masters, while embodying the artist’s distinctive style, ‘Boterism’. With its rich colors and abundant fruits, the feeling of abundance of the painting takes on a deeper meaning, as it now has a humanitarian purpose, helping families in need through Queen Sofia’s unwavering dedication to social causes.

Aurora Zubillaga, general director of Sotheby’s Spain He adds that “for Sotheby’s it is an incredible privilege to present this very significant work by Fernando Botero, a gift from the artist to benefit a cause so close to his heart and to Spain. “Seeing that this painting contributes to the mission of the Queen Sofía Foundation is deeply meaningful, especially because it honors Queen Sofía’s ongoing commitment to the well-being of those most in need.”

Created in May 1977 by Doña Sofía, the Queen Sofia Foundation andIt is a permanent, non-profit, charitable and cultural entity. In these 47 years of existence, it has managed and promoted more than two hundred projects with dozens of social, educational, health and environmental entities, as well as social and humanitarian aid projects, from which children, the elderly, immigrants, the disadvantaged and affected have benefited. due to natural disasters.