NEW YORK, NY.- Regal matadors, eager picadors, exquisite bulls, crowds of anxious spectators, elegant flamenco dancers— Bullfight features more than 140 oil paintings and 35 drawings, by Fernando Botero, providing a gorgeous look at the artist’s iconic subject, the tauromaquia, or bullfight. In his youth, Botero developed a passion and curiosity for bullfighting that has remained with him throughout his illustrious, six-decade career. The artist was profoundly influenced by the spectacle of the bullring—the vivid colors, the dynamic movement, the beauty and violence, bravery and fear, the fine line between life and death.

In his signature style, the figures of the bullfight appear voluminous and voluptuous, a trademark exploration of scale, space, and volume that has made this artist renowned throughout the world. Matadors and picadors, horses and bulls, spirited crowds and striking portraits—all are exaggerated and exalted by the hand of the artist. The collection includes paintings and works on paper. The second in the inimitable artist’s compilation of thematic works, following his highly regarded Circus (2013), Bullfight is an exquisite collectible that will be appreciated by fans of the bullfight, Latin culture, and art aficionados alike.

Fernando Botero (b. 1932) is the most famous living artist of our time, his voluminous figures instantly distinguishable in the thousands of locations in which they reside around the world. The Colombian artist studied at the Academia de San Fernando in Madrid before traveling to Paris and Florence to expand upon his understanding of fine art. In 1958 he gained widespread exposure after winning “First Prize Piece” at the Salón de Artistas Colombianos. In the last three decades, he has achieved international recognition for his many paintings, drawings, and sculptures, with hundreds of exhibitions around the world. His most recent book, Circus, was published by Glitterati in 2013. Botero continues to be an active member of the art community, living and working primarily in Paris, Monaco, Colombia, and Pietrasanta, Italy, near the quarry where his sculptures are constructed.

Curtis Bill Pepper (1917-2014) was an American author and journalist. He served as Newsweek’s Mediterranean bureau chief in Rome, covered the Vatican for United Press International, worked for the New York Times, and reported briefly for CBS. Pepper is the author of several books, the latest of which, Leonardo, is a biographical novel of Leonardo da Vinci. Until his recent death, Pepper divided his time between homes in Umbria, Italy and New York City with his wife, the sculptor Beverly Pepper. His work in this book is his last literary effort.

Juan Manuel Santos (b. 1951) is the 32nd and current President of Colombia, in office since 2010.

"Few artists in the history of painting have worked on a topic with such detail and sympathy as he [Botero] has done with the bullfight, reconstructing it in all its variety and richness, with its cast of characters, its setting and its myths, its colour, rituals and emblems." –Mario Vargas Llosa

Wednesday October 29th Mr. Botero will be doing a book signing at the MoMa bookstore at 7pm.