Fernando Botero: The Aesthetics of Form

An exhibition that makes you smile in front of balloon-like, inflated paintings

As soon as you step into the exhibition hall, the first thing that catches your eye is people's expressions. This is a museum, but everyone has the corners of their mouths turned up. In Fernando Botero's paintings, the people, fruits, and instruments are all puffed up like balloons, so instead of feeling difficult, they make you laugh first. Colombian master Botero (1932~2023) created 'Boterismo,' a style in which every subject is painted with exaggerated volume. 'Fernando Botero: The Aesthetics of Form' will be held from April 24 to August 30, 2026, in Exhibition Rooms 1, 2, and 3 of the Hangaram Design Museum at the Seoul Arts Center. This large-scale retrospective is returning to Korea for the first time in 11 years since 2015, and it is the final stop of a world tour that arrived in Seoul after Rome, Barcelona, and Baku. A total of 112 works, including paintings, drawings, and sculptures, will be on display, allowing visitors to take in about 60 years of his artistic trajectory, from the period when his style was established in the 1970s to his final years.

The exhibition is divided into six sections: 'Variations,' 'Latin America,' 'Religion,' 'Bullfighting,' 'Still Life,' and 'Circus.' Even without art knowledge, this exhibition is easy to follow and that is its real charm. The first section, 'Variations,' which parodies famous masterpieces, draws people in right away; Jan van Eyck's 'The Arnolfini Portrait' and Velázquez's maids of honor are reborn with Botero-style volume. In particular, 'The Maids of Honor According to Velázquez' was discovered in the artist's studio after his death and is being shown for the first time in this touring exhibition.

Buy tickets in advance; take Subway Line 3, Exit 5 at Nambu Bus Terminal Station

The first thing I would tell a foreign friend is about the tickets. On weekends and public holidays, it gets crowded, so it is better to book in advance to avoid confusion at the venue. Tickets can be purchased on the Seoul Arts Center website, as well as on NOL Ticket (Interpark), Naver, and KakaoTalk Reservation. Admission is KRW 23,000 for adults, KRW 18,000 for teenagers, KRW 15,000 for children, and KRW 12,000 for preschoolers; children under 48 months enter free. Online reservations are limited to 10 tickets per transaction. Opening hours are 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and the museum is closed every Monday, so you should avoid visiting on Mondays.

Getting there is simple. From Subway Line 3, Nambu Bus Terminal Station (Seoul Arts Center Station), Exit 5, it is a 5- to 10-minute walk. If you have luggage or it is a hot day, you can take the green community bus Seocho 22 for just two stops from in front of Exit 5. From Subway Line 2, Seocho Station, Exit 3, take community bus 11 for four stops, or walk for about 20 to 25 minutes. Bringing a car is not recommended. On weekends and public holidays, the parking lot is almost always full, making parking difficult, and extra fees are added to the visitor parking charge.

For on-site payment or the language environment, foreign visitors do not need to worry too much. Botero's paintings are intuitive, so you can enjoy them even if you cannot read all the explanations, and there are free guided tours and audio guides twice a day on weekdays (11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.). However, the guided tours are mainly in Korean, so if you need English, it is a good idea to check whether the audio guide supports it at the entrance. Wheelchairs and strollers are available at the information desk on the first floor of the museum, so it is also suitable for seniors or visitors with children.

Different expressions in each section — bullfighting, still life, circus

It is best to set aside one to two hours just to slowly go through the six sections. In the 'Latin America' section, memories of Botero's hometown Medellin and the distinctive colors of South America fill the canvas. The 'Religion' section reimagines religious imagery such as the Virgin Mary and bishops with generous volume, making it both cheerful and bold. The 'Bullfighting' series, based on his experience attending a bullfighting school as a boy, and the 'Circus' series, which warmly depicts the lives of itinerant performers, reveal Botero's humane perspective.

What impressed me most was that Botero did not simply paint things as large and cute. In 'Pear' (1976), a very small bite mark appears on one side of a yellow pear that fills the canvas. He uses an extreme contrast between large and small to make a particular part stand out. Works such as 'Bathroom in the Vatican,' which subtly satirizes power through the size difference between a cleric lying in the bathtub and a lower-ranking priest holding a towel, make you think again after laughing. There are also many paintings that are great for taking photos, such as the watermelon and red flower triptych in the still-life section.

To avoid a wasted trip, remember just this

If you keep a few things in mind, there will be no reason to panic. In summary:

• Closed on Mondays — this is the first day to remove when planning your schedule.
• Busy on weekends and public holidays — if you want to look around at a relaxed pace, right after opening on a weekday morning is the most comfortable time.
• Online advance ticket booking is recommended — even if it is not sold out, it reduces waiting at the venue.
• Subway instead of driving — the parking lot is almost always full on weekends.
• Wear sneakers and bring light luggage — there are many works, so you will walk longer than you might expect.

The exhibition itself runs until late August, so it is also a good place to spend time indoors when it is hot outside. The Seoul Arts Center has a large outdoor area with a courtyard and fountain pond between the buildings, making it a perfect place to end your visit with a stroll.

Who I would recommend it to

I would confidently recommend this to friends who avoid museums because they find contemporary art difficult, families looking for somewhere to go with children, and couples wondering about a date course. Everyone smiles at least once in front of Botero's inflated paintings. When you need a spoonful of energy in a dry routine, don't miss this exhibition, which has returned after 11 years.