Introduction

Many of us can recognise Picasso's work, even at a glance. Cubsim and the breakdown of his subjects to their most simplistic forms, defined his work. He became emensely successful from it too... one of a very few artists that did to the levels that he did as a living artist still very much in the prime of his life.

When Picasso was asked to represent the Spanish submission to the World Exhibition held in Paris in 1937, he set about constructing an image that was worthy of the remit he was given. The early compositions were orientated to the internal political conflicts occuring in Spain at the time. The overthrowing of a recently elected government initiated the Spanish Civil war. The right wing government wanted to retain control and initiated a coup whilst the left wing nationalists, weary of years of poverty, hunger and no outlook for a change were voted in to make that change...only to be forcibly ousted by republicans led by General Franco. Conflict followed and the Spanish Civil War had so begun.   

Meanwhile the German government were in their ascendancy and invoking forced control of a nation also ravaged for years by poverty, hunger and disillusionment, were desperate for a change. They were successful, led by Adolf Hitler, they pursued a ruthless course for economic recovery and racial purity at any cost.

The Americans established a policy of non intervention, not wishing to be embroiled in a conflict that promised no benefit to them...and they did just that...stayed away.

Then, in the Summer of 1936, history was to change course when the tiny town in Northern Spain was attacked by the German luftwaffe in aid to General Franco's republican government.

The attack was ruthless and applied with the care, precision foresically executed by people who were motivated to do so. The objective was to cause such severe devestation to the mainly women and children of Guernica, that the resistance fighters hiding away from the town, would lose their will and capitulate. 

The shameful episode that followed would be marked in history as one of the worts acts of cynical attrocities metted out to non combitants.

The news of this event made its way around the world and when it reached Picasso, who was living in Paris at the time, caused such outrage that he found renewed passion and direction for the painting that he'd started to paint. Now it had purpose. Now it had validation.

What Picasso ended up producing is the work we recognise as the epitomy of his life's work. 

Picasso, was careful to avoid disclosing any meanings, any symbolisms and any hidden images. But they are there... that is beyond doubt. What is not beyond doubt is their interpretation. And it is the subject of this topic that I have embarked on my own journey to determine what this painting is about. Given that Picasso himself hadn't defined anything related to Guernica, your guess is as good as mine and my interpretation therefore has no more validation to the truth than yours may do if it varies to my own.

Anyway... take a look, see what you think and I hope my persepctives enrich your won journey.