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Pablo Picasso's Painting That Happened At Guernica

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Pablo Picasso's Painting That Happened At Guernica
Throughout history, artists have used their artworks to make strong statements. They often times want their artworks to have a certain meaning behind them. During the Spanish Civil War in 1937, the Nazis bombed the Basque town of Guernica. This bombing left tragedy and despair throughout the country. Pablo Picasso was inspired to create a work of art to represent the devastation that happened at Guernica. He created a scene that perfectly describes what war is like. He wanted to be a symbol for peace, and to show the world what civilians have to go through during war time. Because of his excellent depictions, Guernica became one of Picasso’s most famous creations. The bombing of Guernica was an important moment in history. The Nazis …show more content…
In several spots on the painting, the audience can see a bull and a horse. I believe there is a deeper meaning as to why there are animals in Picasso’s work. I think the animals represent humans and animals intertwined on this planet. Picasso could have thought that animals and humans both have valued lives on this planet. If an animal or a human is faced with death, both of them will exert fear and sadness. Picasso is showing that humans and animals both have perceptions of death, and that humans and animals are not different after all. Because Picasso used a lot of symbolism in this painting, there are many images that can have several interpretations. In the painting, there is a light bulb and a broken sword. Both of these objects can mean several different things. The broken sword could be a symbol for how in war, nobody wins because both sides can suffer tremendous losses. Even though there can be a truce or a surrender, both sides will always suffer some sort of loss. The bombing of Guernica caused so much tragedy and pain for Spain during the Spanish Civil War. In every war, there is always death and despair, even if somebody comes out on top. Pablo Picasso decided to show the world the horrors of war and what it can do to people. His painting, Guernica, shows the death and darkness that war brings. Picasso’s unique style of painting helped make this artwork a masterpiece.

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