If you have walked in the neighborhood of Raval, you have probably already seen this friendly-looking character created by Botero.
Fernando Botero is a Colombian sculptor and painter from the city of Medellín. Botero is famous for his unique pieces, created under his own version of figurative art. His style is so particular it has even been called “boterismo”.
His pieces are easily recognized by critics and the public, due to their exaggerated volume, strength, sensuality, exuberance. One of the characteristics that make Botero’s work so easy to recognize is the interesting, almost comical way the artist represents anatomy, in a disproportional yet visually pleasing way.
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Gato
Fernando Botero’s cat sculpture, known in Spanish as Gato, arrived in Barcelona in 1987, having stopped in many locations like Parc de la Ciutadella and the Olympic Stadium, before it found its permanent site. This bronze sculpture represents a large, chubby cat, and is today a famous part of the history of Barcelona
It’s difficult to remain indifferent to Botero’s Gato, which is why you can often see children trying to climb it, playing around it, and adults petting it and taking photos next to it.
El Gato lives today at Rambla del Raval.
Horse
The chubby cat is not Botero’s only sculpture in Barcelona. If you pay attention when you arrive at Barcelona El Prat airport, you will come face to face with Caballo, a muscular horse with extremely tall legs and a small head. Present in Terminal 2 since 1992, this funny-looking horse has been the greeter of millions of tourists who exit the sliding doors after collecting their luggage.
Other works
Botero has a variety of pieces that have become part of the international landscape. Some examples are his Big Bird sculpture in Singapur, his Busto exhibit at Parque Thays in Argentina, his Mujer Reclinada sculpture in Perto Rico, and El Dolor de Colombia collection in Colombia.
Thank you
Very informative. I wish I had read your piece before I visited Barcelona a few years ago.
Saw it, nothing to make “oh” sound. It is alien to Barcelona and its culture. For sure not a “symbol of Barcelona”.
Definitely NOT alien to the city’s culture. There are many examples of great artwork dotted around the city if you care to look.
In La Barceloneta the building used for training medics etc resembles a round cake with a slice cut out of it.
Here in Edinburgh…our parliament building was designed by a Catalan architect which is quirky and great.
Love this sculpture in the Raval. Have also noticed the horse he sculpted in Barcelona airport.
There are soooo many examples of sculptures (by other artists) dotted around Barcelona/La Barceloneta if you care to take a wander around.
I love all of this.
In my home town of Edimburgo en Escocia there are similarities with the artwork being visible outdoors. Our home-grown Eduardo Paolozzi’s works are also soooo good (and quirky)