Pablo Picasso: the human condition,Guernica

Essay by chibikaiCollege, Undergraduate May 2005

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Throughout the ages people have often tried to replicate to human emotions and ways of life, within their art works. All of the different mediums, techniques, elements and principles, allow the artist to show the life around them, and helps the viewer to interpret meaning from the art work.

For my assignment , I have chosen three art pieces, two which are paintings, and the third is an etching. These three illustrations do not have much in common as the way they are painted/ etched, but I have selected these three as they all have something to do with the modern day crisis's we , are facing at the moment.

Guernica is one of Picasso's most recognisable artworks, with its deep human sense of defeat and loss. It is a powerful picture that was true to the times when it was made, in 1937.

The picture itself is quiet large in size measuring 349x777cm in total, by working on a larger scale the emotional impact of his work was intensified.

The larger shapes behind the smaller ones are able to hold this mural together. His medium was oil paints and the colours (black, grey, white, blue) he has chosen, distinguish the mood of his painting quickly. The brush strokes are very clean cut with precision, and the use of line in the back-ground proves very affective in emphasizing the message of the picture

This picture could be recognised as being monochromatic since there is a hint of blue in some areas. The figures in this painting, which Picasso has created, are deformed and show the true brutalities of war, hands reach towards sky in hope of grasping an answer, to their personal sacrifice; a mother cradles her child, limp in her arms. In this mural, a Minotaur,