Cardinal (1974) by Fernando Botero

Cardinal - Fernando Botero - 1974

Artwork Information

TitleCardinal
ArtistFernando Botero
Date1974
Art MovementNaïve Art (Primitivism)

About Cardinal

The artwork titled “Cardinal,” created by Fernando Botero in 1974, belongs to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement and is classified under the portrait genre.

The artwork presents a voluminous figure of a cardinal adorned in official ecclesiastical attire, characterized by vivid and exaggerated proportions. Botero’s distinctive style is evident in the whimsical yet grandiose depiction of the subject, which includes a prominent miter on the cardinal’s head and a flowing cassock in hues of pink and red. Accompanying the cardinal is a smaller figure, also depicted with rounded, inflated features, holding a ceremonial staff. In the background, a series of dome-shaped architectural structures, possibly representing a cathedral, rise amidst a pastoral environment, enhancing the ecclesiastical ambiance of the scene. The usage of bright and contrasting colors, combined with the disproportionate representation, underscores Botero’s satirical and playful approach inherent to the Naïve Art movement.

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