What is the Symbolism and Subject matter in Picasso's Guernica?

Question

thanks :)

Answer 1

http://www.msdlists.com/Picasso Guernica.html

Pablo Picasso (1881- 1973) was working on Guernica at the time of the Nazi German bombing of Guernica, Spain, by twenty-four bombers, on April 26, 1937 during the Spanish Civil War. He then named the painting after the town. In that air raid an estimated 250 to 1,600 were killed and large number of others were injured.



The mural was produced under a commission by the Spanish Republican government to decorate the Spanish Pavilion at the Paris International Exposition (the 1937 World's Fair in Paris). Picasso said as he worked on the mural:



“The Spanish struggle is the fight of reaction against the people, against freedom. My whole life as an artist has been nothing more than a continuous struggle against reaction and the death of art. How could anybody think for a moment that I could be in agreement with reaction and death? ... In the panel on which I am working, which I shall call Guernica, and in all my recent works of art, I clearly express my abhorrence of the military caste which has sunk Spain in an ocean of pain and death."



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guernica_(painting)

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, on April 26, 1937, during the Spanish Civil War. The Spanish Republican government 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.



Analysis of the symbolism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guernica_(painting)#Symbolism_and_interpretations







Also;

http://www.spanish-fiestas.com/art/picasso-guernica.htm

http://www.danstopicals.com/guernica.htm



PS.

(Sadly).

It's in the Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid

349 cm × 776 cm (137.4 in × 305.5 in)

Answer 2

Pablo Picasso Subject Matter

Answer 3

congrats to the person who can google and wikepedia answers for you.

Sadly, they typed in the right words, it does symbolize the bombing of Guenerica, Spain. It's in black white and blue. One of his master pieces, Guenerica is about the size of a wall mural, (over 11 feet wide I believe) and is on display on some prestigious museum in Spain, I forget which one sadly. The dark colors are very symbolic to the mood of the painting (death and destrction) while the painting itself doesn't actually depict bombers and fighters.. it's faces coming out of the sky. Take a closer look at the expressions and you might be able to make a few connections with that. Some buildings are on fire, and in the bottom of the painting there is a fallen man holding a broken swords, symbolism for defeat perhaps? Symbolism is open for interpretation. Interpret the painting however you like!

Good luck,

Cheers.