In the year 2000, Fernando Botero donated to Banco de la República an art collection of 208 works, 123 of his own and 85 by renowned international nineteenth and twentieth century artists. Botero Museum was founded with this collection in La Candelaria neighborhood, the historical center of Bogota, in a large colonial house that until 1955 was the seat of the city’s archbishop. The building was restored and adapted to the needs of the museum by Banco de la República under the precepts and curation of Master Botero himself with the support of Ana María Escallón. Since November 1, 2000, the donation has been freely available to the public. During Botero Museum’s opening ceremony, the artist declared: