Question

Pablo Picasso's 1937 masterpiece, Guernica, a city in northern Spain, was painted in 1937 in response to the bombing of the city by the German Air Force. The painting communicates more about war than words alone could do. Look at this painting--Guernica at the Whitechapel by Pablo Piccaso--and report on whether you agree or disagree with this statement and why. Also report on whether the message of the painting is still relevant today beyond its context of the Spanish Civil War.

Answer 1

Yes, after looking at the painting I definitely agree with the statement that it communicates more about war than words alone could do. From the painting I can see and decipher the visual account of the impact of war. The war was devastating and had chaotic ramifications for the citizens of Guernica. The painting depicts the impact of war on the civilian life. Picasso has depicted victims of war in this painting. He has focused on the victims of bombing to a greater extent. The figure of the mother clutching to her baby is the one that is the most vivid image and the one that has the most profound impact. This image itself communicates the negatives of war in a very strong manner.

The message of the painting is still relevant today beyond its context of the Spanish Civil War. This is because war and bombings will have the same negative ramifications and will disturb civilian life in the same manner as depicted in the painting. Death and destruction is the inevitable outcome of every war and this fact still holds ground today and is relevant today. The predominant color in Guernica is ‘black’ and this is symbolic of death. Death will remain symbolic even today and will be relevant even today if a war breaks out in any part of the world.