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