A Study of What Makes Guernica Different from Picasso' Other Paintings

Introduction to Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso is well-known for his colorful abstract paintings. His unique talent for creating a painting that may not resemble real life but carries a deeper meaning has been emulated by many modern painters. Picasso developed various styles throughout his life, which art historians have categorized into different periods. These periods include the Blue Period, the Rose Period, Cubism, and his Late Works. The Blue and Rose Periods are similar in that Picasso used specific colors in his paintings. The Blue Period was characterized by deep blue paintings that did not yet exhibit the style for which Picasso later became famous. One notable work from this period is Self-Portrait (1901). This self-portrait has a dark, gloomy quality, with deep blues creating a lonely, melancholic atmosphere. Picasso's use of color sets a specific mood for his paintings. In contrast, Picasso's Rose Period was characterized by red paintings. During this time, his works shared a similar look and color, but none had the traditional Picasso style we recognize today.

A Study of What Makes Guernica Different from Picasso's Other Paintings

Nowadays, when we think of Pablo Picasso, we often think of Cubism. Cubism emphasizes the flat, two-dimensional surface of the picture plane, rejecting traditional ideas of perspective, foreshortening, and modeling. When an artist paints in the Cubist style, they are not aiming for a natural look. Cubist paintings depict fragmented objects rather than natural-looking ones.

Picasso often chose subjects that required the viewer to look closely to uncover their meaning, often evoking emotional responses. One such painting is Guernica, inspired by the bombing of the town of Guernica by fascists in 1937 (Martin, 2002). Picasso was commissioned by the Republican government to create this piece for the Spanish pavilion at the 1937 World's Fair. Measuring 11.5 x 25.5 feet, the painting took just over three weeks to complete (Richardson, 1996).

Several elements make Guernica stand out from Picasso's other works. Firstly, its size of 11.5 x 25.5 feet is uncommon, especially for Picasso. Another distinctive feature is its lack of color. The entire mural is rendered in blacks, whites, and grays, marking a significant departure for Picasso. In Guernica, Picasso uses the absence of color to create a gloomy, depressing mood, unlike his usual reliance on colors like red or blue.

Guernica is filled with powerful imagery that evokes a tragic and depressing atmosphere. The painting includes six people, all with expressions of horror and suffering. Their eyes reflect the pain and torment experienced during the Spanish Civil War. A dying bald figure lies across the bottom of the image, his eyes directed at the viewer, creating a personal connection. The painting also features women screaming in agony, their eyes filled with confusion and anger. On the left, a woman holds her lifeless baby, the child's head tilted back, eyes missing. The mother's anguished gaze is directed heavenward, her mouth open in a silent cry for understanding.

Above the woman is a bull, a significant figure in Spanish culture, known for bullfighting. The bull's aggressive expression symbolizes the fascists. Other animal symbols, such as a horse in pain, add to the chaos. The horse, frightened like the people, tramples the bald figure in its panic. A baby bird, caught between the bull and the horse, waits for its missing mother to return.

Two types of light appear in the painting. A hanging lamp in the center symbolizes hope, its light bulb prominent. Nearby, a woman holds a candle, which seems to frighten the horse, causing it to turn away.

The setting is the town of Guernica, depicted as a place of destruction. Buildings are shown in flames or collapsing, adding to the dramatic mood. Despite their suffering, the people of Guernica are not helpless; they struggle against the overpowering bull and horse.

Conclusion: The Evolution of Picasso's Artistic Style

Picasso's life was filled with diverse works, each with different themes and styles. As Picasso evolved, so did his painting style. His paintings may appear simplistic, with straightforward shapes and minimal shading, but they convey profound symbolism. In a Picasso painting, viewers must look deeply to uncover its inner meaning. Guernica is a painting rich with hidden meanings, its somber tones designed to connect viewers with the depicted suffering. If Guernica were colorful, the emotional impact and empathy for the citizens of Guernica might be diminished. The painting serves as an emotional representation of the Spanish Civil War and the horrors of war in general.

References:

• Martin, R. (2002). Picasso's War: The Destruction of Guernica and the Masterpiece that Changed the World. New York: E.P. Dutton.
• Richardson, J. (1996). A Life of Picasso: The Triumphant Years, 1917-1932. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.