The Hand (Botero) facts for kids
The Hand (which is La mano in Spanish) is a famous bronze sculpture. It was created by the Colombian artist Fernando Botero. Since 1994, you can see it in Madrid, Spain, where it is on public display. This giant hand weighs 500 kilograms (about 1,100 pounds)! It has a round, full shape, which is a special style that Botero is known for in all his artworks.
Contents
Who is Fernando Botero?
Fernando Botero is a very famous artist from Colombia. He is known for his unique style called "Boterismo." This means he paints and sculpts people and objects with exaggerated, round, and large forms. His art often looks playful and makes you think about different ideas. Botero's works are displayed in many cities around the world.
How The Hand Came to Madrid
In 1994, Fernando Botero had a big art show in Madrid. He displayed twenty-one of his sculptures for everyone to see. People got to vote for their favorite sculpture. The one that won the most votes was called Woman with Mirror. Botero then gave this sculpture as a gift to the city of Madrid.
A city official named Fernando López Amor encouraged companies to buy other sculptures from the exhibition. He wanted them to be put in public places for everyone to enjoy. That's how The Hand found its home!
Telefónica Buys the Sculpture
In October 1994, a large company called Telefónica bought The Hand. They paid 70 million Spanish pesetas for it, which was about €420,000 (around $450,000 US dollars) at that time. The sculpture had a special dull, non-shiny finish. This made it perfect for staying outside permanently without getting damaged by the weather.
Another sculpture by Botero, called Raptio of Europa, was also placed in Madrid. You can find it at the Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport.
Where You Can See The Hand
In April 1995, Telefónica let the city of Madrid borrow The Hand. It was then placed in a well-known area called Paseo de la Castellana. This is a very busy street in Madrid, so many people can see and enjoy the sculpture every day. It has become a popular landmark in the city.
See also
