Fernando Botero: The Circus

May 18 - June 30, 2009

The James Goodman Gallery is pleased to announce an exhibition of new works from legendary artist Fernando Botero’s Circus Series. The exhibition will feature a selection of recent paintings and works on paper, on view for the first time in the United States.

Throughout his long career Botero has been known to devote himself to series that dominate his work for periods of time. In speaking of his latest inspiration, the circus, Botero references his own experience meeting with circus players in Mexico. He finds “there is a poetry in this type of life… I was fascinated by the possibility and the poetry of the subject. In a way it is like a celebration of life, because the circus inspires most people. They saw the circus as children, and there is something very tender about it, and very full of life.” Botero paints his colorful cast with humor, depth and technical mastery: a culmination of the sense and style for which he has been revered. The exhibition will include bronze sculptures of various themes in additions to new paintings and works on paper.

Colombian-born Fernando Botero (b. 1932) has enjoyed worldwide acclaim throughout his long career. He has held solo shows in over 50 commercial galleries and over 75 museums and his works are included in numerous public collections, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Museum of Modern Art, New York. The James Goodman Gallery would like to thank Thomas Gibson Fine Art, London, for making this exhibition possible.