Guernica Flashcards
1
Q
1) Imagery / Subject Matter
A
- The exploding lightbulb illuminates the figures, highlighting the victims of war.
2
Q
2) Imagery / Subject Matter
A
- Picasso chose the fallen soldier with the broken sword which represents the republican army who did not havethe weapons they needed to fight back.
3
Q
3) Imagery / Subject Matter
A
- Picasso used the image of the fierce bull who is standing, overlooking the scene. This is said to represent General Franco who had ordered the bombings.
4
Q
1) Sources of Inspiration
A
- Picasso’s main inspiration was the bombing of the town Guernica during the Spanish Civil War and the destruction caused. Picasso was angry + upset about the bombing + wanted the world to know. The painting contains anti-war imagery.
5
Q
2) Sources of Inspiration
A
- Picasso was inspired by newspaper print pattern (vertical lines on the horse) as he first found out about the bombing in the French newspapers after the event.
6
Q
3) Sources of Inspiration
A
- Picasso used the burning buildings as inspiration to communicate the scale of the devastation + emphasize the harmful force of war.
7
Q
1) Composition
A
- Triangular comp - creates a strong diagonal view emphasis. The triangle is illuminated by the use of light shining from the candle-sticks flame carried by the light bearer.
8
Q
2) Composition
A
- Fragmented comp - in the Cubist Style. Overcrowded + chaotic, communicating the confusion of the scene.
9
Q
3) Composition
A
- Multiple viewpoints created by overlapping figures + shapes with no obvious horizon line - perspective is flattened but depth created by these overlapping figures + geometric shapes.
10
Q
1) Shape
A
- Picasso uses a triangular composition as the painting looks like it’s been divided into 3, this creates a fragmented, chaotic look, capturing the shocking, scary reality of the event.
11
Q
2) Shape
A
- The jagged broken sword of the fallen soldier suggests danger, however the soft, rounded shape of the flower (also in his hand) contrasts with this as it is a symbol of hope + peace, showing Picasso’s strong anti-war views.
12
Q
3) Shape
A
- Picasso also painted a lightbulb at the top of the painting. The squashed oval shape could represent the worlds/gods eye looking down in horror at the scene.
13
Q
1) Media Handling / Technique / Working Methods
A
- Grisaille paintings are produced in monochrome. Renaissance artists were trained to produce this technique. Grisaille was less widely used in the 20th century. Guernica is an example of a contemporary painting in grisaille.
14
Q
2) Media Handling / Technique / Working Methods
A
- Picasso used bits of wallpaper to create textures under the paint which contrasted with the smooth areas.
15
Q
3) Media Handling / Technique / Working Methods
A
- Picasso completed the painting in just three weeks which shows his anger and fury over the bombing + the fact that he wanted the world to see it as soon as possible in Paris.
