Guernica by Pablo Picasso

      
     Guernica, by Pablo Picasso, in 1937 is a mural that fills an entire wall and specifically relates to a tragic event (Bombing of Guernica). Picasso's painting is a response to the bombing of Guernica, Spain by warplanes from Germany and Italy. Together Germany and Italy were at war with Spanish Nationalist forces, this war is known as the Spanish Civil War (Guernica). During that time the Spanish Republican government commissioned Pablo Picasso to design a large scaled mural for display at the Paris International Exposition in 1937 (Guernica). To Pablo Picasso it was his personal way of expressing his political commitment and loyalty to Spain.

       Guernica is now represented as an anti-war symbol to the world and shows viewers from all over that war results in tragedy. The painting also sends the message of how together we should learn to embody peace. Guernica illustrates the calamity of war and the pain it inflicts on the people around; specifically, in the suffering town of Spain. The tone set in the painting depicts distressed people, animals, and buildings ravaged by chaos. When looking at specific scenes in the painting each person or animal has a different emotion displayed. Picasso illustrates each person by portraying agony and affliction in unique ways. For example the woman crying for the death of her child; which was a result of Germany and Italy's practice of Blitzkreig (Bombing of Guernica). Also detailed are black, white, and grey colors; which set a somber tone and forces the eye to focus on important details. Like the people's faces and the hidden images of a bull and a horse; two elements special in the Spanish culture (Guernica). Guernica is Pablo Picasso's voice about political events and expresses his individual message; that war and death effects a society and its people greatly 

       My theme, The Impact of War is represented through this paintings because it displays to viewers that war saddens and hurts people and even practicing for war has big consequences. The paintings relates to a historical event which is similar to my other featured paintings; which depict specific scenes of a war in that time.  It is also important that the artist ties to their art personally by illustrating moments that pay tribute to them culturally; for example, artists Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso. The artists express similar thoughts about the Spanish Civi War.  Yet both send a different message and depict similar, yet unique emotions of suffering, death, and violence. 

"Bombing of Guernica". (2011, April 23) Wikipedia. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Guernica>. 

"Guernica". (2011, April 17). Wikipedia (painting).  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guernica_%28painting%29>.


"Guernica" (image) http://www.pablopicasso.org/images/paintings/guernica_l.jpg