Guernica Responce

 

            Pablo Picasso’s piece entitled Guernia was based on the bombing that occurred in the small village in 1937.  The bombings were fueled by the Spanish civil war and is believed to be the work of Spanish nationals in alliance with Germany. There were over 1,500 deaths reported on a devastating bombing run that lasted 3 and a half hours. Picasso saw this event as mass chaos. He combined abstract forms of humans and animals in what looks like a shelter, scared for their lives. I read up on the history of the event and one man who was resided in the village during the bombings recalls hiding in a small cramped shelter wondering if he was going to live or die. When I put the history with the painting it made a lot of sense. It was a time of fear and survival. The overall feel of the piece suggests  Picasso was sickened over the bombings and tried to show the devastation caused by them. To me it seems this is very much an anti war piece with strong messages.