Portugal Colonial - Colombian artist Botero laid to rest in Tuscany

Known for his voluptuous depictions of people and animals using different media, Botero died on September 15 aged 91 after developing pneumonia.

His body had been flown to Bogota and later Medellin, which declared a week of mourning amid a final homage from the public, politicians and family.

He was cremated before his ashes were taken to the Italian town of Pietrasanta, 32 kilometres (20 miles) from Pisa, where Botero lived and worked for decades.

He was interred next to his wife, the Greek artist Sophia Vari, who died in May.

Dubbed the "Picasso of Latin America", Botero was a passionate and tireless artist, with an oeuvre of more than 3,000 paintings and 300 sculptures.

His creations of oversize and slightly surreal forms have been auctioned for up to $4.3 million at galleries in cities including New York or London.

His daughter Lina told AFP that Botero had worked in Pietrasanta for more than 40 years.

"He crafted his sculptures here thanks to the work of the foundries, the marble workshops... as well as the artisans who admired his talent and whom he respected".

She said her father had continued painting until the end despite a battle with Parkinson's disease, which made it hard for him to walk or communicate.

E.Paulino--PC