Colombian artist Fernando Botero passed away at the age of 91

The artist was born in Medellín on April 19, 1932. He continued painting in his studio until he contracted pneumonia, for which he had to be hospitalized.but left the hospital on Thursday to recover at home.

Speaking to Caracol Radio, his daughter Lina Botero announced that he passed away in Monaco this morning: “He had been in very poor health for five days because he had pneumonia.“.

“Died aged 91, lived an extraordinary life and left just in time” he said, shocked his daughter, who remembered him as a person who “dedicated his life to his country, which was the subject of his artistic works.”

The painter studied in Colombia and at the Royal Academy of Arts of San Fernando in Madrid, and began exhibiting in the United States in the 1960s, with his first exhibition at the Milwaukee Art Center where he began to demonstrate his characteristic figurative style.

Botero is left behind a long artistic work; from his characteristic and distinctive Mona Lisa several people with voluminous shapes dancingAs he walks through his sculptures adorning all corners of the world, first of all he is from his hometown Medellín, where he created dozens of works.

Colombian President Gustavo said, “Fernando Botero, the painter of our traditions and flaws, the painter of our virtues, is dead. The painter of our violence and peace. The dove that was cast a thousand times and enthroned a thousand times.” Petro alludes to the dove exhibited in the Casa Nariño (presidential headquarters) that the artist gave to commemorate the agreement with the FARC in 2016.

Former president Juan Manuel Santos also spoke about the loss: “We are deeply saddened by the death of Fernando Botero, one of the greatest artists of Colombia and the world. Always generous to his country, a great friend and passionate founder of peace. We extend our sincere condolences to his entire family.”