via crucis

Fernando Botero’s Via Crucis is a powerful reimagining of the Passion of Christ, seen through the eyes of one of Colombia’s most celebrated artists. Born in Medellín in 1932, Botero became world-renowned for his distinctive style known as “Boterismo”—marked by bold, voluminous figures that explore form, emotion, and social commentary. In 2012, Botero gifted his Via Crucis series to the Museo de Antioquia, offering 27 paintings and 34 drawings that reinterpret the traditional Stations of the Cross. But this body of work is more than a religious reflection—it is also a deeply personal tribute to his homeland and its struggles, blending sacred themes with the cultural identity of the Colombian people.

What sets Via Crucis apart is Botero’s ability to merge tradition with modernity. Rather than replicating standard religious iconography, he breathes contemporary life into each station, using vivid colors, symbolic distortions, and deeply expressive forms. His signature figures carry emotional weight—each gesture, glance, or contortion speaking to universal experiences of pain, injustice, and hope. In doing so, Botero transforms a centuries-old story into a mirror of present-day human suffering and endurance. Via Crucis is not just a retelling of Christ’s journey—it’s an invitation to reflect on our own capacity for empathy, resilience, and faith in the face of hardship.