Picasso's Guernica - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages... The essay "Picassos Guernica" provides a critique on Pablo Picasso’s "Guernica". Picasso was quite clear in being intentional with the underlying meaning of his work. Undoubtedly, this painting’s underpinnings suggest a build-up of fomented bitterness regarding the war and its effects on Spain and its people. This is clearly demonstrated through the the perspective of the work, Cubism. The aesthetic nature of Guernica is striking, due to the fact that it is painted in three colors only: black, white, and grey. Notwithstanding perspective, the use of materials is significant, as the is theway in which the Guernica was composed. Further, both the inherent and hidden meanings, unintended and intentional in nature, extricate a rich world of meaning that gives it a life all its own. Here, one will consider perspective and use of materials, including the element of composition; and, notwithstanding, an explanation regarding the meaning behind Guernica will be duly attempted. Perspective is very important in Picasso’s Guernica. Like many of his works during the war period, Picasso chose to do this painting in the style of Cubism. The elements of Cubism that make it so distinct are the boxy qualities of the faces and bodies in the painting, which are designed from multiple perspectives—head-on, from the right side, and from the left side. Technicallly speaking, the people and animals with Cubist elements in Picasso’s painting Guernica tend to have anguished-looking faces and mangled bodies. 


This adds to a sense of foreboding in the work and gives the painting an an all-around pervasively haunting quality.
Perspective is a particularly interesting problematic in Guernica, as one can see automatically that there is a twisted mindset-a tortured soul, if one wills-which lies within the source of the painting. The perspective sets the mood and the tone for Guernica, obviously giving it depressing yet action-filled nuances.
The use of materials in Guernica speaks volumes about the painting itself and what the artist sought to achieve. Guernica is a rather large painting (349 X 777 cm), having been put behind bullet-proof glass at one point in order to protect it. The largeness of the painting denotes the importance it had in Picasso's mind. Guernica instantly makes an impression upon the viewer at first sight, due to its relatively huge size. The painting's size is meant to be large for a reason; it is supposed to overwhelm the viewer. The fact that the painting was done in oil was probably a matter of comfort for Picasso; it was a medium that allowed for subtle changes without having to rework the entire painting-unlike other mediums such as acrylic or watercolor-where one mistake could ruin the piece in its entirety.
III. Composition
The fact that Picasso's Guernica is painted in the various stark shades of black, white, and grey, ...Download file to see next pagesRead More