Before Picasso was born, Spain was a thriving empire before the 18th century. It had colonies all over the world and dominated the seas.
However, in the 19th century, the Spanish Republic was established, but a coup restored the monarchy, and severe class divisions oppressed the people. Spain lost a war with the United States, leading to the loss of its colonies. After various troubles, World War I broke out in 1914.
Spain, which had been through much turmoil, declared neutrality and did not participate in World War I.
At this time, Pablo Picasso was in France. While his friends were conscripted and went to war, Picasso, being Spanish, avoided participation.
Spanish Government: "There's a war; how about coming back to Spain to paint safely?"
Picasso: "No, thanks."
Spanish Government: "We're saying this for your benefit. Better come back while you can."
Picasso: "Maybe later."
It's unclear whether the Spanish government, or the monarchy, genuinely worried about Picasso or didn't want to lose a rising artist to France, but their attempts to bring him back failed. However, Picasso did spend extended periods in Spain later on.
The countries that participated in the war were devastated. Young men died, and the economies suffered. Eastern France was severely impacted, but the central region was less affected. During this time, Picasso avoided the war, traveled to Italy, met women, and got married, leading a busy life.
Spain, having not participated in the war, was developing rapidly. However, internal conflicts arose between the monarchy, the military, the classes, and the church, leading to the Spanish Civil War (July 1936 - April 1939).
The Republicans received aid from Britain and France, while the rebels received support from Nazi Germany. Ironically, Franco's rebels called the Republicans "reds" while championing democracy, yet were aided by the Nazi regime. The enemy of my enemy is indeed my friend.
During this time, Picasso was commissioned to create a painting for the Spanish Pavilion at the 1937 Paris International Exposition. Contemplating the theme, he learned about the innocent citizens killed in the bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War.
Seeing this as his opportunity, Picasso created a massive painting depicting the horror in his unique style within two months. This became the 3-meter by 7-meter masterpiece, "Guernica," completed in 1937 for the Paris International Exposition.
Guernica (1937)
"Guernica" features a bizarre mix of black-and-white images of bullheads and people. Although the painting is symbolic and surreal, it's debatable whether it truly captures the horrors of war.
To an untrained eye, it might seem confusing. That was my initial reaction. Picasso might not have fully grasped the horrors of war, given that he evaded the First World War and observed the Spanish Civil War from France through newspapers. He likely drew inspiration from others' works, continuing as he always had. Picasso was undoubtedly fortunate, but luck often accompanies skill.
After the exposition, Picasso donated "Guernica" to the United States to raise funds for the victims of the Spanish Civil War, requesting it be returned to Spain once democracy was established. Consequently, "Guernica" was stored at the Museum of Modern Art in New York until it was returned to Spain in 1981.
Two years after the Spanish Civil War ended, World War II began in 1939. Adolf Hitler, who had a fondness for painting, didn't heavily restrict artists, but Picasso was an exception due to "Guernica." There's a famous anecdote where Nazi officers, seeing "Guernica," asked Picasso, "Did you do this?" to which he replied, "No, you did."
As a result, Picasso was prohibited from painting during this period. Instead, he spent his time writing poetry and sculpting, leading a relatively relaxed life.
Hitler was notoriously brutal to other ethnic groups, especially Slavs and Jews, massacring about ten million people.
Picasso learned about these atrocities through newspapers and subsequently painted "The Charnel House."
Following "Guernica," this was the next piece in his war series.
The Charnel House (1945)
In 1950, a tragic conflict erupted in Korea, resulting in over 30,000 deaths. The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, with North Korean forces pushing southward. In Hwanghae Province, clashes between left-wing communists and right-wing Christians led to massive casualties.
To cover up the embarrassment, North Korea approached Picasso, a fellow French communist party member, to depict the UN forces committing atrocities in Hwanghae Province.
In 1951, at the age of 70, Picasso painted "Massacre in Korea," the next in his war series following "Guernica" and "The Charnel House."
Massacre in Korea (1951)
Picasso painted this piece in a similar composition to Francisco Goya's "The Third of May 1808." Although based on false information, Picasso was more concerned with his personal affairs. Following Olga's death, the woman he had married but separated from, other women with whom Picasso had children fought over his estate and inheritance.
Updated in 2024.05.28
