Reclining Figure

In 1952, Botero studied at the Academia de San Fernando in Madrid. Around that time, he sketched works by Goya and Vel_zquez at the Prado. In 1953, he moved to Florence, where he studied fresco and other techniques. He depicts largely swelled figures and is characterized by a wittily humorous, pristine style. He has also made a large number of sculptures.

Botero is known for the unique style in which he makes everything he chooses as his motif chubby. He began by being influenced by Mexican artists such as Ribera, Siqueiros, and Orozco. While studying in Europe, he encountered works by Spanish masters, copied Renaissance paintings in Italy, and deepened his interest in the history of European painting. The inflated expressions emerged from around 1956 and his present style was fixed around 1964. From 1973, he also began working on sculptures. This statue was produced to be installed outdoors based on a small work entitled Reclining Nude, which was produced in 1978. The female body full of undulation was a perfect subject for Botero. Though this corpulent woman is tinged with a placid naivety, the apple in her hand shows that this is a humorous satire on the image of Eve in the Garden of Eden.