Reclining woman with Apples - Fernando Botero

Bronze Statue – Reclining Woman with Apples – Signed Fernando Botero 

The Fernando Botero Sculptures often embody the grandeur of everyday subjects, and the Reclining Woman with Apples is among the most captivating examples. Created in 1979, this bronze statue transforms the intimate act of reclining into a monumental statement of sensuality and calm. The figure stretches languidly across a base, her full-bodied form rendered with Botero’s signature exaggeration of volume. Apples, placed near her body, enrich the symbolism, recalling classical still-life traditions and hinting at abundance, temptation, and vitality. As a Sculpture Botero, the reclining woman becomes an icon of both serenity and strength, inviting viewers into a dialogue with timeless ideals of beauty.

Fernando Botero’s life and beginnings

Born in Medellín, Colombia, in 1932, Fernando Botero was the son of David Botero and Flora Angulo. His father, a traveling salesman, died when Botero was just four years old, leaving his mother to raise him with the support of extended family. From a young age, Botero showed a passion for drawing and painting, eventually publishing illustrations in local newspapers as a teenager. His pursuit of art took him to Bogotá, and later to Madrid, where he studied at the Academia de San Fernando. These formative years shaped his unique vision, blending European artistic traditions with Latin American themes, a hallmark evident in every Fernando Botero Artwork.

Apples as a symbol in Botero’s art

The apples placed around the reclining figure are not incidental details but crucial symbolic elements. In art history, apples have long been tied to myth, desire, and the cycle of life. In Fernando Botero Sculptures, their rounded, exaggerated form mirrors the fullness of the human body, creating a playful yet profound visual echo. This symbolic continuity transforms the sculpture into more than a portrait of repose; it becomes a meditation on nature’s abundance and humanity’s relationship with it. By incorporating fruit into the composition, Botero expands the sculpture’s meaning, uniting object, body, and landscape in a single harmonious vision.

The making of a bronze masterpiece

The reclining woman was originally conceived in 1979, a period when Botero was solidifying his international reputation. Executed in bronze, the sculpture reflects his mastery in translating painted concepts into three-dimensional form. The patina enhances the curves, lending warmth and subtle reflections to the expansive surfaces. Resting on a solid marble base, the figure appears simultaneously grounded and ethereal. Each detail reveals Botero’s ability to imbue mass with elegance, ensuring that every Sculpture Botero achieves both monumentality and intimacy. This tactile presence makes the reclining woman a lasting symbol of his sculptural genius.

Exhibition and legacy across the world

The Reclining Woman with Apples is part of a broader body of Fernando Botero Sculptures that can be admired in public squares, museums, and private collections worldwide. Monumental versions of reclining women are displayed in Madrid, Medellín, and New York, where they command both public and critical acclaim. Collectors treasure each Fernando Botero Artwork for its distinctive combination of humor, vitality, and monumentality. Exhibitions in Paris, Florence, and Berlin have also highlighted these works, showing their universal appeal beyond cultural boundaries. This reclining figure continues to inspire and delight wherever it is seen, confirming Botero’s place among the great masters of modern sculpture.

The artist’s enduring philosophy

Fernando Botero always insisted that his art was not about caricature but about magnifying form to reveal life’s vitality. Through the reclining woman, he demonstrates how fullness itself can become a celebration of existence. His works challenge conventional standards, instead embracing a vision where volume equates to beauty, power, and humanity. This philosophy permeates all Fernando Botero Sculptures, whether depicting dancers, soldiers, or reclining nudes. The Reclining Woman with Apples epitomizes this belief, ensuring its place as one of the most profound and enduring expressions of the artist’s worldview.

A timeless Botero creation

The passing of Fernando Botero in Monaco in 2023 marked the end of an extraordinary life dedicated to reimagining art’s relationship with form. Yet his legacy thrives through bronzes like the Reclining Woman with Apples, which remain testaments to his vision and talent. Every curve of this Fernando Botero Artwork speaks of his devotion to sensuality, humor, and timeless beauty. Today, as one of the most recognizable Fernando Botero Sculptures, the reclining woman continues to inspire reflection on art, form, and human presence. It is both a celebration of the body and a profound work of cultural significance, ensuring Botero’s immortality in the world of art.

Height:  20,5cm
Width: 33,8 cm
Depth: 17,8 cm
Weight: 8,7 kg
100% Bronze