Why so much Guernica? First, there's the artistic value. It is simply amazing to gaze at this painting. The emotions leap from its images, which never stop showing you something new. Second, there's the historical value. This painting toured the world, waking other nations to a war unlike previous wars, and warning them of what was to come from Nazi Germany. The attack from Hitler's forces on the village of Guernica was literally a test of the Blitzkrieg tactic. Third, there's the political value. Think of all the artwork that celebrates the triumph of war. This painting portrays the other side, particularly the 20th century's version of war where civilians became targets. (Most of the men of the village were away fighting, and the main victims of this attack were women and children.) I see Guernica calling out for people to take control of their leaders -- this is from my perspective that war arises from tyranny. (I'll argue that one forever, so if you disagree do not bother.)
To the painting.
Guernica, Pablo Picasso, 1937, 3.5 m × 7.8 m (11.5 ft × 25.5 ft)
I shall borrow from Wikipedia:
Guernica is a painting by Pablo Picasso, depicting the bombing of Guernica, Spain, by German and Italian warplanes at the behest of the Spanish Nationalist forces (that is, Gen. Franco -jh), on April 26, 1937 during the Spanish Civil War. The Spanish Republican government (those who wanted democracy, not fascism -jh) commissioned Pablo Picasso to create a large mural for the Spanish display at the Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne (1937) Paris International Exposition in the 1937 World's Fair in Paris.
Guernica shows the tragedies of war and the suffering it inflicts upon individuals, particularly innocent civilians. This work has gained a monumental status, becoming a perpetual reminder of the tragedies of war, an anti-war symbol, and an embodiment of peace. On completion Guernica was displayed around the world in a brief tour, becoming famous and widely acclaimed. This tour helped bring the Spanish civil war to the world's attention.
Okay, back to me. The rest will be mostly images.
When you first see Guernica, this is your perspctive.
The following photographs were taken of Guernica as Picasso painted it. Today they are on the wall opposite Guernica.
To the next room.
Picasso's sculpture watching Guernica from the center of the next room with many of Picasso's figure studies for Guernica. Not often do you get to see so many the works an artist used to prepare a large work. And, let's be honest. Some people think that Picasso shot from the hip, his expressionism leading him to improvise on the canvas. Not so. From the full composition to the smallest details in each image, everying in Guernica was planned, practiced and intentional.
There. That is every picture I took. I share them all because I know a lot of people may never get to visit Madrid, and if they do they may not even get to visit these two rooms.
Finally:
While living in Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II, Picasso suffered harassment from the Gestapo. One officer allegedly asked him, upon seeing a photo of Guernica in his apartment, "Did you do that?" Picasso responded, "No, you did."
- Beevor, Anthony. "The Battle for Spain. The Spanish Civil War 1936-1939" London, Penguin Books, 2006, p. 233
I remember going to MOMA as a kid and spending hours staring at that painting. It's mindboggling.
ReplyDeletejust awesome.
ReplyDeleteHi Lauren. I was tempted to include the tale of how MOMA finally gave up their hold on it and followed Picasso's wishes to send it to Spain. Such a great story that he put it in his will to give this painting to Spain AFTER it became a liberal free democracy and not until then.
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