Caitlin Fitzpatrick

Dr. Plummer

Engl 211

September 27, 2018

Guernica

Guernica, painted by Pablo Picasso in 1937, stands as a political statement bringing the

brutality of the Nazis in Spain to light. The historical importance of this piece is extremely

weighted as well as the visual authenticity that Picasso brings into his pieces in general. This

piece serves as a remembrance to the civilian bombing that occurred in the city of Guernica,

Spain. The bombings that were brought about by the Nazis resulted in an unfathomable amount

of tragedies that added to the severity of World War II. Picasso's used strictly mundane colors

such as black and blue to enhance the agony of the mutated forms that are appear with frequency

in the painting. Figures are depicted with wide eyes and open mouths, clearly in distress. The

longer the viewer stares at the painting the more grotesque it becomes, there are limbs, fallen

animals, and the over use of mutilation. This image was not painted in order to be easy on the

eyes, Picasso wanted the viewer to feel the pain that was brought about to the city of Guernica.

Color is an extreme and evident component of the painting, Guernica. Using hues of

black, grey, and washed out blue automatically contribute to the dismal emotions that are being

provoked throughout the piece. Many of the abstract human figures that are seen are portrayed as

a shade of light grey. With the use of this color, Picasso is able to establish clear facial emotions

outlined in black. Without the clear contrast of the dark agonizing facial expressions the viewer

of the painting would not be able to comprehend that the painting is meant to be depressing. The

use of these colors also makes it simple to follow the source of light throughout the painting,
there is a symbolic light bulb placed in the upper center of the painting. Using the lightest color

to portray this light, it follows through to the abstract form in this piece. Since the eye is capable

of following the light from above, down to where the human and animal forms exist, the viewer

is forced to take in the painting piece by piece. Through this, the use of Picasso’s color scheme

evokes the emotion of pain to his audience.

A notable use of lines are also seen recurring throughout the artwork. The harsh lines

Picasso uses provide a distinct juxtaposition among the rounder figures. This painting is

extremely unnatural and the use of lines exemplifies the abstractness that Picasso was

deliberately going for. The harsh line that runs diagonally from the light bulb in the upper center

of the painting is by far the most significant. This line aids to the division of the painting where

balance is brought about and aids to highlighting the affliction brought to the figures. The visual

intricacy of these lines adds to the complex thought process the audience of this painting might

be going through. Picasso’s use of lines in this piece supports his purpose in evoking pain out of

his viewers by overlapping the lines with the human and animal figures. This effect can be

perceived as the lines are impaling the agonized bodies, however it is clear to the viewer that the

sharp lines are not indeed causing the infliction. Therefore, the question of who or what brought

about the inspiration behind the piece unfolds. At the time that this painting was finished in

1937, many more people were aware of the impact of this painting than there are now. Even with

the slightest context, Picasso proves the grave barbarity of the events that took place during

World War II.

The forms that Picasso uses are extremely important in narrating the story he is depicting.

The symbolism behind these forms are relevant to the history of the city of Guernica and how

they represent the end of its era. Throughout Picasso’s career the use of horses and bulls are
prevalent in his work. Guernica is no different, the use of horses and bulls on Picasso’s behalf

represent Spanish heritage within the context of bullfighting. The nature of bullfighting is

historically violent, which translates onto this painting. Picasso claimed that only the bull

represented the anger that was cast upon the city, however, it is up to the viewer to interpret

where the rage lies elsewhere. The use of the light bulb is also extremely significant. Light is

typically a symbol for hope, however in the context of this painting it is exploiting the actions of

the fascist army that destroyed the city of Guernica.

Guernica is a timeless piece created by an even more timeless artist. I personally believe

that the message that was being displayed was successful in doing so. Unfortunately this piece

has lost popularity as time has elapsed since World War II, however during the creation of this

painting it was deemed highly significant and controversial. For many, especially in the Spanish

community, this piece served exactly what Picasso intended it to do, evoking the emotion and

pain that was brought by the savagery in the war.

Works Cited

Picasso, Pablo. Guernica. 1937. Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Spain.

Robinson, Lynn. “Pablo Picasso, Guernica.” Smarthistory, 9 Aug. 2015,

smarthistory.org/picasso-guernica/

Dr. Benton, Jared. In class lecture. September 4, 2018.