Picasso Guernica Essay

When trying to classify Picasso’s Guernica among the given styles, I would have to say I find it to be in the style of Expressionism with a little dabbling in Cubism. Initially, it seems like the piece shouldn’t be classified as expressionist because it does not partake of the lively use of colors that we see in many other Expressionist pieces. However, I think Picasso’s intentional limitation to the hues of white, grey, and black is very intentional for the emotions he’s trying to evoke. Considering the subject of the piece, an addition of any other colors like reds or oranges to represent the fires, blood, or violence of the bombing of Guernica it would, I think, immediately draw the viewer’s attention to that spot. By only using a limited color palette, I believe Picasso was able to use his selected colors to evoke both the severe depressive dread of the scene and add to a feeling of chaotic confusion as it’s hard to focus on any single spot of the mural as distinct and separate. It seems the selection of his colors was indeed intended to not try and represent the reality of the situation, but the emotions associated with it. Another aspect of the painting that I think classifies it as Expressionist is the distortion of the …show more content…
However, there’s one particular aspect that makes me believe that Cubism influenced the work as well. Picasso’s presentation of figures turned in upon themselves appears to serve a two-fold function. First, it adds to the chaos of the scene of the bombing but, secondly, it also presents a view of the scene from seemingly multiple angles. This use of “multiple or contrasting vantage points” is a technique of Cubism (Rewald, 2004). The use of the technique can make a viewer feel like they are swirling about the scene taking in the full tragedy of the town under siege as they are forced to look into both open eyes of every