The Bombing Of Pablo Picasso's Guernica, Spain

Pablo Picasso painted the Guernica as a reaction to the bombing of Guernica, Spain by German and Italian forces during the Spanish Civil War in 1937. Guernica relates the violent acts of war as well as the mental, physical pain and suffering, and the destruction it inflicts upon people, especially innocent lives of others. This painting has achieved a huge reputation over the years, and has become a long-lasting reminder of the devastation of war. The Guernica mural became an anti-war icon. After it was completed, Guernica was exhibited worldwide. A painting that still feels intensely relevant today. The scenario is set within a room where, on the left, a wide-eyed bull looms above a woman grieving for a dead child she is holding. The middle of the painting shows a horse falling over in pain, having been pierced by a spear. It is important to keep in mind that the gaping wound in the side of the horse is the primary focus of the artwork. It takes a moment to grasp all of this and the concept of this mural, but as you continue to look you can see images come together and imagine the horrific scenes of this tragedy in the war of 1930’s. Pablo Picasso was known for keeping things in its

Another Harlequin, seen by rotating the painting again. An outline of the face and traditional hat and mask make him identifiable. Picasso hid many magical images in his work by incorporating them sideways or upside down. Sometimes, as in this case, he placed other images over the top as camouflage. This fourth Harlequin has been concealed by inversion, which is a common technique of encryption in Hermetic magic. This Harlequin is identifiable by his triangular hat and serrated collar. He is constructed from components of Punch and Judy theatre. The hat is peaked with a crocodile's jaw and his square mouth and face when viewed the right way up takes on the form of a traditional puppeteer's