P. Picasso, Guernica, 1937, 349 x 776 cm., óleo soble lienzo, Museo Nacional Reina Sofía, Madrid.
Más que un cuadro es un cartel, un cartel en lienzo sin texto, no hacía falta, todo estaba "escrito" en esta impactante imágen. Picasso, que más tarde se afiliaría al Partido Comunista de Francia, era defensor de la Republica Española y esta tenía en él un fiel artista de fama reconocida.
This is more a cartoon on canvas than a picture. A cartoon without text because everything "is written" in this image. Picasso (later affiliated to the French Communist Party) was a defendant of the Spanish Republic, which made him a loyal artist, well-know all over the world.
In fact, in January 1937, the picture was commissioned by the Republican government to decorate the Spanish stand at the 1937 Universal Exhibition in Paris, with a clear propaganda context. That's why the painting is so big: it was to be admired by a lot of people at the same time in a scene that wasn't like a showing.
Two months later the terrible bombing of Guernica took place (26th April 1937) and it was turned into the ideal subject for the picture. But curiously and thanks to the painter's great ability there are no signs of war in it, no bombs, nor soldiers or guns. The main subjects are from bullfighting: horse and bull in a moment of bullfighting and a fugitive mother with her dead son in her arms. As usual of Picasso, his private life is reflected in his artistic themes. In this case and due to its political undertone, it caused great controversy, though years later this painting became a pacifist manifesto.
Picasso took a month in finishing the picture, which was made in black and grey tones to emphasize dramatism and highlight the message. Short of time, he used sketches from his previous works to get the painting finished quickly. His partner at that time, photographer Dora Maar, took photographs of the process of development of the painting.
Today, this painting is fundamental to Modern Art and anyone who looks at it closely cannot be left feeling indifferent