Picasso’s Painting “Guernica”

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Discussion
Conclusion
References

Introduction

In their work, many artists attempt to convey the hardships of war, the most traumatic experiences in people’s lives. Guernica is a painting by an influential 20th-century artist, Pablo Picasso, that was created in 1937 in response to the bombing of the city of Guernica in the Spanish Civil War (“Guernica,” n.d.). The artwork became an anti-war symbol and reminder of the tragedy of the war, gaining worldwide recognition. Although Guernica was initially overlooked, and its interpretations are sometimes ambiguous, it has become an essential piece in art history.

Discussion

Guernica stands out for its style of performance and shocks with its large size. In particular, the painting is painted in oil on canvas, 25.6 feet wide and 11 feet high (“Guernica,” n.d.). It represents the cubism style, and only black, white, and blue colors without bright shades emphasize the tragedy of events (“Guernica,” n.d.). At the same time, it is the most important political work of the artist against war and tyranny, although some critics doubt this message (“Guernica,” n.d.). Guernica is filled with many elements demonstrating various aspects of the presented event.

The painting includes a few people and several animals: a horse, a bull, and a pigeon. The bird is barely visible on the canvas, which can be interpreted as the destruction of peaceful life. The interpretation of the bull and horse is controversial – some critics see them as symbols of Spanish culture, while others note that Picasso used them in various roles in his works, and the cultural interpretation may not be accurate (“Guernica,” n.d.). Women in the picture display horror and deprivation – one of them raises her hands to the sky as in prayer or fear, and the other holds the baby, both of them have their mouths open in a scream. The dismembered man represents the death and destruction that war carries. In such ways, the picture declares human suffering due to tyranny and aggression.

Despite the strong statement that the picture carries, it gradually gained fame. By the time Guernica was created, Picasso was not active in his work, and a new piece of this scale was supposed to be a sensation at Paris World’s Fair (Eakin, 2022). However, the picture aroused little sympathy, and the audience could not understand it, which forced them to go to other exhibits (Eakin, 2022). Guernica was sent on a world tour but still did not attract attention for some time, especially since the Spanish Civil War was over (Eakin, 2022). Its popularity began in 1939 at an exhibition in New York after the outbreak of World War II, when the painting was considered in a new light (Eakin, 2022). In the modern world, conflicts, cruelty, and tyranny persist, making people suffer, which means that Guernica remains relevant.

Conclusion

Thus, the Guernica created by Picasso is a powerful anti-war symbol in art history. It is a response to the bombings during the Spanish Civil War but displays the horrors and deprivations of all conflicts. The painting is of mural size, and its elements and colors highlight the tragedy of the war. However, initially, the Guernica theme was not concerning to the audience, and therefore, it did not attract due attention. The outbreak of World War II contributed to understanding the horrors of armed conflict, bringing back the picture’s relevance. Art can play an essential role in drawing attention to the problems of wars and should remind people of their horrors and the importance of preventing them.

References

Eakin, H. (2022). How Picasso’s great anti-war mural flopped.The Atlantic. Web.

Guernica, 1937 by Pablo Picasso. (n.d.). Pablo Picasso.org. Web.

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Picasso’s Painting “Guernica”

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