The art world is mourning the loss of one of its most iconic and beloved figures, the famous Colombian sculptor Fernando Botero. Botero, celebrated for his signature style of "majestic forms", died after suffering pneumonia at the age of 91.

Fernando Botero was born on April 19, 1932 in Medellin, Colombia. From a young age, he showed a keen interest in art and started painting at the age of 12. In 1944, Uncle Botero sent Fernando to a matador school for two years, and four years later he published his first illustrations in the Sunday supplement of "El Colombiano", one of the most important newspapers in Medellin.

In the late 1940s, Botero worked as a scenographer, and in 1961 he moved to Bogotá. His first solo exhibition took place at Galería Leo Matiz in Bogotá. In 1952, Botero went with a group of artists to Barcelona. After moving to Madrid, Botero entered the Academia de San Fernando.

In 1953, Botero moved to Paris, where he studied works of art at the Louvre, then lived for a year in Florence. In recent decades, he has lived most of his time in Paris, but spends one month a year in his hometown of Medellín.

Botero's breakthrough came when he developed his signature style, often referred to as "sweeping shapes." In this style, Botero exaggerated the proportions of objects, creating works of art characterized by loose figures and voluptuous forms.

His figures - people, animals or inanimate objects - burst with life, conveying a sense of joy, sensuality and humor. This unique approach to sculpture and painting set Botero apart from his contemporaries and brought him worldwide recognition.

During his distinguished career, Botero produced a large body of work that included sculptures, paintings and drawings. His sculptures, in particular, have gained international recognition for their ability to convey the essence of "splendid forms". Some of his most famous works, often cast in bronze, have been displayed in prominent public spaces around the world, becoming landmarks.

In addition to his sculptures, Botero's paintings were equally popular. His canvases often depicted scenes of everyday life in Latin America, from markets and festivals to bullfights and family gatherings. His use of bright colors and exaggerated forms continued to captivate art connoisseurs and collectors.

Botero's legacy extended beyond his art. He was an ardent defender of education and culture in his native Colombia, supporting various initiatives to promote the arts and improve access to education.

Fernando Botero's death marks the end of an era in the art world. His style of "luxurious forms" challenged conventional notions of beauty and aesthetics, bringing joy and vitality to art lovers around the world.

Source: bbc.com