Guernica, 1937 by Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso n Born in Spain n Known as the most famous artist of the 20th century n Lived from n Pablo Picasso is considered a Modernist in terms of art history

Guernica

Historical Context of Guernica, 1937 n Commissioned by the Spanish Republican Government to create a mural n The Spanish Civil War broke out July 18, 1937 n The massacre of the village Guernica became the image for the mural

Biographical Context: Why the Spanish Civil War Affected Picasso? n Picasso was a Spaniard with strong populist beliefs n He was moved by the tragedy of the war

Aesthetic Analysis of Guernica n Elements – Line – Shape / Form – Space – Texture – Value – Color n Arrangement of the elements

Lines – Thin lines – Mechanical Lines – Organic lines – Fine point instrument – Asymmetrical – Not drawn to scale – Horizontal, vertical, and curved lines

Shape and Form n Triangles n Ovals n Rectangles n Square n Circles

Space n Two-dimensional perspective

Texture n Combination – Some objects appear smooth, no brush strokes or scratch marks – Some objects appear rough

Value n There is high contrast between light and dark in this work – There is no evidence of a light source because there are no shadows

Color n Somber tones of gray n Charcoal n Black n White

n Pain and despair n Abandonment of hope n Cubist in origin

Critical Interpretation by Scholars n There is no hope depicted in the colors, figures, and complex symbolism n Bull is brutality and darkness n Horse represents the innocence of the civilian victims The weeping woman is Picasso ’ s mistress, Dora