Guernica: The Story Behind The Work

Guernica: The story behind the work

Introduction

A little history behind this work of art is that Spain suffered a catastrophic and devastating war between 1936-1939. The factions that fought were the fascists and republicans. Nazis from Germany were also involved. The fascists like Franco and Hitler allied against the Republican government and supported fascists from Spain. In 1937, the Nazis of Germany and the fascists of Spain launched a bombing against the small city of Guernica, which is in northern Spain. 

Developing

The bombing was horrible and destructive extremely. 1,600 people died and also buildings and houses. The painting was exhibited in 1937 World Fair in Paris. Now the painting is exhibited at the Reina Sofía National Art Center Museum. To describe this painting that this painting is a unique representation of the Spanish civil war because it reflects the violence of war. 

The coach is for the observers of this painting is to feel the horror of war. Guernica’s style represents the expression of Cubism and Surrealism. Art of Cubism uses geometric shapes, while surrealism uses juxtaposition of images to release creative potential from the unconscious mind. The paint is in monochromatic colors and is very large as twenty -five feet wide and eleven and a half, feet high. 

I like this painting because there are many symbols such as: 1) the woman carries her boy dead, 2) the bulb, 3) the poppy flower, and 4) the bird. The woman carries the dead child of her resembles the Catholic image of the Virgin who carries her the son of her Jesus in her arms in her arms.

This represents the suffering of her mother and son during the bomber. The bulb in it above the painting is in the form of an eye, it can symbolize the eye of God. 

It also represents the importance of technology progress because Franco’s first reason and Hitler to bomb Guernica was to experiment with his bombs. The white poppy flower in the soldier’s hand represents the hope of peace. The bird symbolizes the Holy Spirit of the Catholic Church, breaking the darkness and bringing peace. He uses monochromatic colors to represent the darkness and lost hope. 

conclusion

He uses newspaper to bring the present moment to his painting. The big size represents the overwhelming nature of war. It can be said that this painting is against war because the horror shows in the expressions of the people and the horse on their faces. Also dismembered bodies represents the dead, blood, and cruelty of war. It seems fascinating that such a clear image of the war can be represented in this image.