The artwork titled “Matador,” created by Fernando Botero in 1985, is a notable piece within the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement, specifically classified under the genre of portrait.
“Matador” features a robust figure prominently, depicted as a traditional bullfighter adorned in a richly detailed costume. The subject’s exaggerated proportions are characteristic of Botero’s distinctive style. The matador holds a cape draped over his arm and a hat in one hand, set against a serene landscape with a blue sky and scattered clouds. In the background, a skeletal figure wielding a sword hovers, adding an element of surrealism to the scene. The overall composition combines a sense of gravity with whimsical absurdity, reflecting Botero’s commentary on human vanity and societal roles.
