lithograph, paper, 44 x 48 cm
Lithograph, high-grain velin paper, 44 x 48 cm in light passe - partout, numbered in pencil 90/300, signed from the plate under the composition "Botero" l.d., dry publisher's stamp p.d. : "ARTIS"; on the back hologram "verification of authenticity". Original certificate.
Fernando Botero, born in 1932 in Medellín, Colombia, is one of the most recognizable contemporary artists.
Botero's style, often referred to as "Boterismo," is instantly recognizable for its disproportionateapproachto human anatomy and form. His figuresare typically exaggerated, withlarge,roundedbodiesand faces. This stylization is not only aesthetic, butalso symbolic,oftencommentingonsociety, politics and human nature. Botero eschews realism in favor of a more abstractyetexpressive depiction of the world.
"Breakfast of theCat" is one of many still lifes created by Botero. It depicts acompositiontypical of the genre, wherevarious everyday objectsand foodare placed on a table. The centerpiece of this painting is a bowl of green soup, surrounded by other objects such as fruits, vegetables, bottles and dishes. In Botero's signature style, all of these itemsare depicted inrounded,almostinflated forms, giving them a somewhat humorousyetelegantlook.
Still life as a genre is by definition static. The addition of the cat, a living and potentially mobileanimal, creates a contrastbetween the static natureofthe objects and the dynamism of the living creature. Thiscanintroduce an element of surprise and humor, which is characteristic of Botero's style. The cat in Botero's style, like other elements of hisworks, is depicted in an exaggeratedroundedmanner. This gives it the artist's distinctive, recognizable style and makes theanimalpart of a harmonious composition.
Boterouses brightcolors and precise painting technique in his works, makinghis paintingsbotheye-catching and rich indetail. In "Still Life withGreenSoup,"one cansee the masterful use of light and shadow,which gives the subjectsthree-dimensionalityanddepth. The composition is carefully planned, andeach element seemsto fit perfectly intothe whole.
"Breakfast of theCat" isa perfectexample of Botero's style and hisapproach to art. The artistoftenemphasizes that his worksarenot just humorous, butalso aim toexpressbeauty in a different, more sensualway. Bytransformingordinaryobjects intosomethingextraordinary, Botero forces the viewer to look atreality from a new perspective.
The work isalsoan example of Botero's ability to combine thetradition ofpainting with a modernapproach,creating worksthatareboth anhomageto the classics and an innovative expression of hisown artistic vision.
