Fernando Botero

Vía Crucis

Fernando Botero's Via Crucis is an artist's book that connects the history of art with the memory of the master, who shows us his personal interpretation of the Christian Way of the Cross. The artist wanted to turn that masterpiece into an artistic edition that pays tribute to the Colombian people.

A limited and numbered edition of 2,998 copies that includes the complete series of 34 drawings and 27 paintings (61 works in total).

A limited and numbered edition of 2,998 copies including the complete series of 34 drawings and 27 paintings.

The Art Book includes the 34 drawings from the series reproduced with absolute fidelity to the originals, done in pencil and watercolor on paper.

«Each plate is accompanied by a quotation from the Bible, printed on red semi-transparent paper.»

The cover of this bilingual edition, in Spanish and English, is an unpublished image, printed on canvas: a silhouetted detail of the oil painting Cerca de la Cruz (2010), belonging to the artist’s private collection.

The keys to Botero’s work are analyzed in detail in the articles gathered in the Study Book. Federico Mayor Zaragoza, former director general of UNESCO, shows the artist’s great contribution to the universalization of culture and art, and David Ebony, American critic, reviews the keys to Botero’s work.

As exceptional collaborators of the Museo de Antioquia, its general director, María del Rosario Escobar, offers a panoramic view of the transformation of Medellín and Botero’s role in this change. And Camilo Castaño, curator of the museum, takes us on a journey through the artist’s work and analyzes the series in depth, especially each of the 34 drawings.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

EXHIBITION-CASE

  • Lacquered MDF wooden case 1.05 cm (0.41 in.).
  • Left side signature with transparent glued relief.
  • Methacrylate of 1 cm (0.39 in.) engraved on front and back, title of the work engraved on front.
  • Dimensions: 42.5 x 42.5 x 8 cm (16.7 x 16.7 x 3.14 in.).
  • Case weight: 5.26 kg (11.59 lb.).
  • Total weight of work: 14.78 kg (32.58 lb.).

STUDY BOOK

  • Contains 4 chapters by Federico Mayor Zaragoza, former director general of UNESCO, David Ebony, American critic, María del Rosario Escobar, director of the Antioch museum and Camilo Castaño, curator of the museum.
  • Monolingual Edition (two versions, Spanish or English)
  • 200 pages on 150 gr. (0.33 lb.) Tatami White paper + varnish.
  • Sizes: 40 x 40 cm (15.75 x 15.75 in.)
  • Weight: 2.85 kg (6.28 lb.).

ART BOOK

  • Includes the 34 drawings from the series reproduced with absolute fidelity to the originals, done in pencil and watercolor on paper. Each plate is accompanied by a quotation from the Bible, printed on red semi-transparent paper.
  • The cover of the Art Book is an unpublished image, printed on canvas: a silhouetted detail of the oil painting Cerca de la Cruz (2010).
  • Bilingual edition in Spanish and English.
  • 152 pages.
  • Size: 40 x 40 cm (15.75 x 15.75 lb.).
  • Weight: 3.08 kg (6.79 lb.).

PRODUCTION PROCESS

Fernando Botero was fully involved in the development of this work; he personally supervised, reviewed and approved all the pieces, and in particular, the 34 drawings in the series.

The sheets of the art book, composed of white and red semi-transparent sheets, have been hand-sewn with high quality cotton thread to form the casing of this volume.

The binding of the art book is made by hand by attaching with a special glue the book’s casing to the cover, whose image is a silhouetted detail of the oil painting Cerca de la Cruz (2010).

The 34 sheets are joined to the Art Book by means of three glue dots. The back of each plate bears the numbering and stamp of the Museo de Antioquia in Medellín.

The cover of the study book, also hand-bound, is composed of two striking images of Fernando Botero, taken by renowned photographer Ruven Afanador.

The display case, made of passion red lacquered wood, forms a perimeter frame. A window to Botero’s art through two 10 mm methacrylate pieces that show us both volumes.

Botero’s signature appears in transparent relief on the left side of the display case. The title of the work, Via Crucis, has been stamped on the methacrylate.

The case-exhibitor keeps inside the Art Book and the Study Book, which can be taken out for your enjoyment by separating a part of the bookmark.

Fernando Botero

Fernando Botero

(1932, Medellín – 2023, Monaco) From a very young age he showed a keen interest in art, which grew to become his great passion. Fernando Botero’s artistic creations are imprinted with an irreverent interpretation of the figurative current, called boterismo, where volume becomes the absolute protagonist of his creations.

Today, his singular style has made him one of the most admired and recognized contemporary artists in the international artistic sphere.

About the artist

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