Description
- This bronze exemplifies Botero’s mastery of sculptural form during the height of his practice
- The horse remains central to Botero’s artistic vocabulary as a symbol of nobility and power
- Botero’s sculptures consistently achieve the highest prices in his market among collectors worldwide
- This treasure is edition 2 of 6
Fernando Botero
1932-2023 | Colombian
Horse with Saddle
Signed “Botero 2/6” on back right
Bronze with brown patina
Representing one of Fernando Botero’s most celebrated sculptural subjects, Horse with Saddle exemplifies the Colombian master’s extraordinary ability to transform classical forms through his exaggerated volume and proportion aesthetic. Cast in 1995 during the height of Botero’s sculptural maturity, this bronze is a testament to the artist’s mastery of three-dimensional form and his profound understanding of one of his favorite muses: the horse.
The sculpture is a magnificent study in simplified yet monumental form, where Botero’s signature inflation technique transforms the subject into an icon of strength and serenity. The horse’s muscular haunches and rounded barrel create a sense of contained power, while the elegantly arched neck and alert ears convey timeless nobility. The meticulously detailed saddle with decorative stitching and hardware demonstrates Botero’s attention to Colombia’s traditional craftsmanship. The uniform brown patina enhances the bronze’s sculptural volumes, creating subtle tonal variations, perfectly exemplifying Botero’s sculptural genius.
Botero achieved unprecedented international recognition as Latin America’s most celebrated living artist, with his sculptures representing the pinnacle of his artistic achievement. Beginning his sculptural practice in the 1960s after studying the Renaissance masters in Italy, Botero became so devoted to three-dimensional work that he temporarily abandoned painting entirely from 1976 to 1977. His bronze sculptures consistently command the highest prices in his market, with three of his four auction records achieved by monumental bronzes. Museums worldwide house his equestrian sculptures, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, while public installations grace international locations from Singapore to Barcelona. As a master of 20th century art, Botero’s work bridges traditional and contemporary sensibilities.
Cast 1995
Bronze: 18″ high x 16″ wide x 9 3/4″ deep (45.72 x 40.64 x 24.77 cm)
Provenance:
MJW Associates, by whom acquired 10 August 2000
Private Collection, Colorado
M.S. Rau, New Orleans