The Hand, a bronze sculpture by Colombian sculptor Fernando Botero, has been on public display in Madrid, Spain since 1994. The 500-kilogram hand is of a plump form, a trademark of the sculptor. The sculpture was one of twenty-one exhibits in a 1994 exhibition of Botero's work. After a public vote, Woman with Mirror was the sculpture that received the most votes and was gifted to the city by the artist. Madrid treasurer Fernando López Amor urged corporations to purchase other works and put them on public display.
The Hand was bought by Telefónica in October 1994 for 70 million Spanish pesetas (around €420,000). Its matte finish made it more suitable than other exhibits for permanent outside display. Another Botero piece, Raptio of Europa, was installed at Madrid–Barajas Airport. In April 1995, Telefónica loaned the sculpture to the city and it was installed on Paseo de la Castellana. El País reported that its position seemed to point towards a nearby statue.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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