The artwork titled “Vallecas the Child (after Velasquez)” is a portrait created by Fernando Botero in the year 1971. It belongs to the Naïve Art, also known as Primitivism, art movement. The painting exemplifies Botero’s signature style, characterized by the exaggerated and voluminous proportions of the subject.
In the artwork, a child with an unusually robust physique is portrayed seated, dressed in a green garment with puffed sleeves resting on a cushion. The child’s features are rendered with a sense of softness, accentuating the tranquil and contemplative expression on the child’s face. The background is shadowy and non-descriptive, ensuring that the viewer’s attention is drawn solely to the child. Botero’s use of volume and form conveys a unique interpretation of beauty, providing a modern reinterpretation of classical themes evident in the works of Velázquez. The juxtaposition of the subject’s serene demeanor against the considerable body form serves to evoke a thoughtful and reflective mood.