1936–1939

The painter deliberately avoided any symbols referring to current events and chose neutral imagery. The first sketches featured a clenched fist reaching toward the sky, but Picasso ultimately painted over it because he felt it alluded too strongly to communist symbolism. The artist strove to ensure that his work would remain a vehicle for a message that transcends political affiliations and holds universal significance.

On the left, the bull represents the triumphant (Spanish) people, while in the centre, the horse neighing in despair is a symbol of the suffering (Spanish) people. Both animals – in fact, every figure in the work – are victims of violence, without exception. In this way, Picasso shows that there are no winners in war; the entire human civilization falls victim to it.

Dora Maar, a photographer and Picasso’s partner and muse, documented the creation of the Guernica step by step. Dora’s photographs offer a glimpse into the creative process and show how the painter’s vision took shape.

According to accounts, when the official German tour guide arrived in front of the Guernica at the International Exposition, what he said about the painting was this: “Even a four-year-old child could have painted it.”

An anecdote has it that Picasso printed numerous postcard-sized reproductions of the Guernica, and when German onlookers visited his studio during the German occupation of Paris, he handed each of them a small Guernica with these words: “Here you go, here you go, take a souvenir…” And during a visit by the Nazi High Representative, Otto Abetz, in Paris, the German guest, upon seeing Guernica, remarked, “So you did this, Monsieur Picasso!”, to which Picasso replied meaningfully, “No, Monsieur Abetz, You did this!”

Picasso vowed that neither he nor his works would set foot on Spanish soil as long as Francisco Franco, the dictator responsible for the destruction of the town of Guernica, remained in power. Picasso remained true to his promise. Franco died two years after Picasso, so the artist – who remained true to his Spanish roots until his death – was never able to return to his homeland. Following Franco’s death, a democratic government was formed in Spain, which, together with the town of Guernica, submitted a claim for Picasso’s work. The Guernica ended up in Madrid, where it still can be seen.