The Intersection of Art and Medicine: Exploring the Connection Between Fernando Botero and Medicine

Tetsuya Tanimoto, MD.

Chairman of Accessible Railway Medical Services Tetsuikai Medical Corporation.

Director of Navitas Clinic Kawasaki

Fernando Botero, the Colombian master of fullness—of form, color, and life itself—passed away on September 15, 2023, at the age of 91. The official cause of death was pneumonia, a condition that marked the end of a long, vibrant life dedicated to celebrating the human experience in all its exaggerated glory. Much like his art, which blurred the boundaries between whimsy and profundity, Botero’s passing invites us to reflect not just on mortality but on the enduring vitality of his legacy. His life, work, and even his death embody the richness and abundance he so famously depicted.

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A Life in Full: The Rise of Fernando Botero

Born on April 19, 1932, in Medellín, Colombia, Fernando Botero’s early years were a mix of hardship and burgeoning creativity. His father’s untimely death when he was just four years old left the family struggling financially, but his mother’s determination ensured that young Fernando received an education. Medellín, with its vivid colors, Catholic imagery, and celebratory culture, provided the fertile soil that nurtured Botero’s artistic vision.

Though he initially dabbled in bullfighting, Botero’s passion for art quickly took precedence. By the 1950s, his talent earned him a scholarship to Europe, where exposure to Renaissance masters reshaped his perspective. It was during this time that Botero had a pivotal realization: volume—exaggerated form—could be his unique artistic signature. Thus, Boterismo was born, and by the 1960s, he had gained international acclaim for his monumental figures that were less about size and more about presence, abundance, and vitality.

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A Global Legacy: Resonating Across Cultures

Botero’s art transcended borders, finding resonance far beyond Latin America. In Asia, particularly in Japan, his works received widespread admiration. Two of his iconic bronze birds, celebrated symbols of peace and joy, found permanent homes in the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art and the Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art. For a city like Hiroshima, which carries the weight of historical suffering, these rotund, gleaming birds offered an uplifting message of resilience and renewal.

In 2022, Botero: Magic in Full Form, a major retrospective, toured Japan, captivating audiences with its blend of humor and depth. The exaggerated forms, which challenge Western ideals of proportion, found harmony with Japan’s philosophy of wabi-sabi, an appreciation for imperfection and impermanence. Botero’s works similarly gained popularity in South Korea and China, bridging East and West through their universal themes of joy, humanity, and critique of societal norms.

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Botero’s Art as a Counterpoint to Modern Wellness Trends

In today’s world of calorie counters, fasting apps, and medications like GLP-1 receptor agonists, Botero’s art feels refreshingly rebellious. His figures, unapologetically full and brimming with life, seem to wink at our obsession with thinness and optimization. If his art could speak, it might ask, "Why fast when you can feast?"

Botero’s exaggerated forms could also be interpreted through a medical lens. The swelling limbs and rounded figures may evoke conditions like edema or metabolic syndrome—but in his world, these are not flaws. They are celebrations. In a culture increasingly equating health with restraint, Botero offers a counter-narrative: that fullness—of body, spirit, and life—is something to be embraced.

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Death and Legacy: Pneumonia and the Fragility of Life

Botero’s passing from pneumonia underscores the fragility of even the most vibrant lives. Often referred to as "the old man’s friend," pneumonia is a common cause of death among the elderly, particularly those with weakened immune systems. While Botero’s death contrasts with the robust vitality of his work, it also serves as a reminder of the humanity underpinning his creations. For all their exaggerated proportions, his figures are deeply human—resilient yet vulnerable, full of life yet subject to its limits.

Even in death, Botero’s legacy remains larger than life. The 2018 documentary Botero offers an intimate glimpse into his creative philosophy, capturing a man who saw art as a celebration of existence. His passing invites not mourning but celebration—of the abundant contributions he made to art and humanity.

Social Critique and Emotional Depth

Botero’s works are not merely visually striking; they carry profound social commentary. His Abu Ghraib series, which starkly depicts the torture of prisoners during the Iraq War, strips away the humor often associated with his art. These haunting images confront viewers with the physical and psychological scars of systemic cruelty. In contrast, his depictions of Colombian life—its joys and struggles—offer a poignant record of a society grappling with inequality and resilience.

Through these contrasting works, Botero reminds us that the human body is more than a biological entity; it is a vessel for cultural, political, and emotional narratives.

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A Therapeutic Legacy

Botero’s art has therapeutic potential in a world rife with body image issues. His figures, radiating confidence and individuality, challenge societal norms and invite viewers to embrace their uniqueness. In art therapy, his works could inspire self-acceptance and emotional healing.

Medical professionals might also draw lessons from Botero’s exaggerated forms, developing deeper empathy for the diversity of human bodies. His art underscores that health is not merely physical but a holistic interplay of mind, body, and society.

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Living (and Laughing) in Full

Fernando Botero lived a life as bold, joyful, and unapologetically abundant as his art. His passing marked the end of an extraordinary chapter, but his spirit endures in the figures he so lovingly created. In today’s world of restraint and optimization, Botero’s work feels like a call to loosen up and embrace life in its fullness. His figures seem to shout, “Beauty isn’t about fitting into a box—or a single pant size!”

Yet, even amidst the celebration, there’s a gentle reminder: live fully, but acknowledge your limits. Have that slice of cake, but perhaps skip the second (or at least share it). Laugh loud, but remember to catch your breath. Life, like Botero’s art, is best enjoyed in full: rich, colorful, unapologetic, and just mindful enough to keep it all rolling—round and happy, just like his sculptures.