Columbian Via Crucis: Botero and suffering

How can we describe Fernando Botero (1932-)’s art? One would say huge figures in movement, glowing faces, and joy. I believe that those definitions work.

However, also an artist like Botero, known for his fat and joyful characters, can deal with suffering. Between 2010 and 2012, the Columbian artist realized a series of 27 paintings and 34 drawings representing the various steps of Christ's last hours, from the betrayal of Judas to his death and burial. Not bad for an eighty-year-old man!

Botero, The Passion of Christ, installation view. Photo by Claudio Raimondo. Courtesy of the museum.

This series, entitled Via Crucis, is now on display at Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome. The exhibit is located at the bottom of the entrance floor, divided into two rooms. I am often a bit skeptic when artworks are displayed in this area, but I must admit that the crossed walls in the second room were suggestive and the paintings well-arranged.

I believe that the whole Via Crucis suffers from lack of explanation. After a small and general introduction to the series, there is no information and any quote (except one in the second room). The whole series is characterized by a mixture of traditional iconography and modern life elements. This union is not really comprehensible to the audience because it clearly refers to Columbian culture, traditions, and history. Although this detail is hinted at the beginning, as viewers and not experts in Columbian history, we can only image the references given by Botero.

Botero, El Camino de las penas, 2010, oil on canvas, Antioquia Museum, Medellìn, Columbia. Courtesy of the museum.

The lack of explanatory panels helps the visitor in immerging more into the paintings. He/she can feel the softness of the figures, the suffering of the bodies, the contrast of colors, and several citations of Renaissance art. The sense of incompleteness, however, could easily struck curious visitors, who don’t have any instrument to catch details and meanings far from their culture.

That’s a pity! The paintings are unusual for the artist, expressing suffering, fear, anxiety through expressions, vivid colors, and various symbols in the paintings.

So: is this exhibition worth visiting? Yes, if you appreciate Botero and quiet atmosphere and are willing to clear any doubt or curiosity by yourself. Some choices regarding installation, information provided, and organization are really peculiar. Personally, I have appreciated the show, although it doesn’t seem so. However, a question in my mind has haunted me since my visit at Palazzo delle Esposizioni: why is Botero so obsessed by women at the door?

Botero, El beso de Judas, 2010, oil on canvas, Antioquia Museum, Medellìn, Columbia. Courtesy of the museum.

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Botero. Via Crucis. La Passione di Cristo

13 febbraio - 1 maggio 2016

Address: Via Nazionale, 194 - 00184 Rome.

Info: 06 39967500 | 848 082 408 | http://www.palazzoesposizioni.it/categorie/mostra-botero-via-crucis-la-passione-di-cristo

Hour: Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10:00-20:00 | Friday and Saturday from 10:00-22:30 | Closed on Monday | Last admission one hour before closing time

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