1. Use the vocabulary you have learned in class to describe this artwork or performance in detail.
The infamous political piece Guernica by Pablo Picasso is layered with imagery and heavy in content. The first aspect of this piece a viewer may notice without even realizing is that it depicts a chaotic scene in black and white. The black and white colors allow Picasso to play with light and shadow throughout the piece by darkening shapes completely and pulling objects forward using light. After a closer examination, one can clearly see the brutality unfolding inside the scene of this house and on the canvas. Some of the horrors include a man who appears to be decapitated, a stray arm holding a sword, people screaming in terror, and a mother holding her dead child. Another aspect which may draw attention to the scene are the two animals which are depicted. The first animal is a horse crying out in the center of the piece and the second animal is a deformed bull standing over the mother and her dead child on the left side. Picasso uses his normal cubist distortions which emphasize line and shape but allows for the piece to be clearly made out to spread his message of awareness to the horrors which are occurring in his homeland of Spain.
2. What processes were used to create this work? What social influences might the artist be responding to and why?
During this time, the Spanish Civil War was taking place. Picasso, originating from Spain, had a connection to his homeland and was commissioned to create Guernica for the World Fair in Paris in 1937. The title of the piece, Guernica, stems from the name of a small rural town in Spain which was bombed during a war routine by the German Luftwaffe (Shabi, 2013).
3. What is the relationship of this work to the time and society in which it was created? Describe the symbols used to express this relationship.
As stated previously this painting is created in the midst of the Spanish Civil war and acts as an anti-war piece. The bull and horse used in the piece are used as direct symbols to relate to traditional Spanish bullfighting traditions and paintings. Thus, giving the viewer a clue that this piece isn’t about just any war but the war in Spain. In addition, I believe that the element of the home eludes to Picasso’s homeland as well as the fact that the war was civil and occurring within one’s own homeland.
4. Identify elements of the work that evoke a persuasive or emotional response. Be specific about what those responses are and why.
One element bound to evoke emotion is the mother holding her dead child. While it is not spelled out that the woman holding the dead person is a mother and child it is clear through the use of scale and inclusion of her breast. The mother morning allows one to see the innocence being destroyed and causes one to relate to the murder of one’s own family. Additionally, the light cast upon the faces of the emotion-filled people also pulls the viewer into the scene and intensifies a disheartening emotional response due to the sheer panic one can see within their illuminated faces.
5. Evaluate what you perceive to be the strengths and weaknesses of the work. Apply discipline-specific vocabulary and concepts when describing your point of view.
I believe that the biggest strength of Guernica is its meaning. Guernica portrays unjustified brutality occurring in Picasso’s homeland of Spain and serves as a symbol of anti-war and violence among people across the globe. Visually, the biggest strength is the contrast of shapes through the use of light and dark within the black and white colors. The head of the bull becomes clear through its stark white color, while the body is washed out so that it does not take away from the crying mother. The screaming and crying faces are all illuminated as well to intensify the drama and capture the emotion of this troubling scene. However, one weakness would be within the flood of light towards the middle which offsets the balance of black and white throughout the piece.
References
Shabi, K. (n.d.). Guernica Meaning: Analysis & Interpretation of Painting by Pablo Picasso.
Retrieved December 09, 2017, from
Comments
Post a Comment