Guernica, 1937 by Pablo Picasso
Shannon Frost and
Mary Catherine Taylor
August 12, 1999
Pablo Picasso
Born in Spain Known as the most famous artist of the 20th
century Lived from 1881-1973 Pablo Picasso is considered a Modernist in
terms of art history
Guernica
Historical Context of Guernica, 1937 Commissioned by the Spanish Republican
Government to create a mural The Spanish Civil War broke out July 18, 1937 The massacre of the village Guernica became the
image for the mural
Biographical Context: Why the Spanish Civil War Affected Picasso? Picasso was a Spaniard with strong populist
beliefs He was moved by the tragedy of the war
Aesthetic Analysis of Guernica
Elements– Line– Shape / Form– Space– Texture– Value– Color
Arrangement of the elements
Lines– Thin lines – Mechanical Lines – Organic lines – Fine point instrument– Asymmetrical– Not drawn to scale– Horizontal, vertical, and
curved lines
Shape and Form Triangles Ovals Rectangles Square Circles
Space
Two-dimensional perspective
Texture
Combination– Some objects appear smooth, no brush strokes or
scratch marks– Some objects appear rough
Value There is high contrast between light and dark in
this work– There is no evidence of a light source because there
are no shadows
Color Somber tones of gray Charcoal Black White
Shannon and Mary Catherine’s Critical Interpretation
Pain and despair Abandonment of hope Cubist in origin
Critical Interpretation by Scholars There is no hope depicted in the colors,
figures, and complex symbolism Bull is brutality and darkness Horse represents the innocence of the
civilian victims The weeping woman is Picasso’s mistress,
Dora
Educational Interpretation
Lesson Plan– School Setting– Rational– Virginia Standards of Learning– Art Objectives
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