whew. Indeed, Andrea, indeed. I hope our artists are working away now, more than ever. Thank you for this very illuminating essay tying the historical value and context of such important art to it's political context. And how we always need our artists to tell the truth.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Sabrina. We all have to use whatever mediums we can to communicate, especially at times like this. Picasso said that he didn't have any political or social intentions with this painting and that one could view and interpret the shapes as one liked but whether that was true or not, his painting has stirred millions of people who have drawn similar conclusions.
This is so interesting Andrea, I saw Guernica at MOMA and later in Madrid. I had no real understanding of what it portrayed. Thank you for giving us this lesson in history. Margo
It is a shame our teaching of art history and physical, actual history does not marry the two adequately. They are taught in silos. History is taught from the top down. Art History is more often about the story from The People upward. Those who have talent were not royals. They were average people risen up by the sheer spark of their creativity being recognized, valued. Then they tell the story.
Sure, the Academy tried to control it. But art movement after art movement freed creatives from the shackles of hierarchy.
Margo, thank you for reading and commenting. Your situation probably reflects most people, including me. I hadn't paid that much attention either as when I learned in high school in a history of art class about the painting Guernica, I knew nothing about Spain or the Civil War. Putting these things in context, as LaMonica says below would make a big difference in understanding and appreciation of art and history. They can't be separated.
Thank you Andrea. Our Guernica is not a place, nor a painting, it is our Constitution. The carpet bombing is a deluge of Executive Orders issued by a delusional president, the attack plan is Project 2025 and our Luftwaffe is a feckless congress and politicized Supreme Court that refuses to enforce checks and balances to protect the American people.
Exactly. Yet the painting of Guernica records it forever. And when those who knew how critical is was to preserve the story in a visual construct other than photography refused to advance the work back to Spain they were acting as protectors of truth.
So the question of who and how it will be to record the current destruction of our constitution in order to preserve the truth of what is happening in a tangible way for next generations remains.
Art IS the catalyst of emotional resonance making the message remain strong, experientially to each person every single time it is viewed —as if it were a fresh wound. There are really no other vehicles of communication which can wire do the same thing. Written record, news reporting… nothing comes close to the universal language of art.
Very well put, LLL. Thank you. All of those analogies are true. How far is this destruction going to go? What works and words will someday become famous around the world to remind people of the dangers of these flagrant violations of democracy?
Interesting background story. Thank you. Interesting fact about the Basque..... A Basque person is literally defined as someone who speaks Basque. Doesn't matter where you are from, if you can get by, you are one of them. That is why I love living here.
Thank you, So/ren, for reading and commenting. I'm sure there are many other ways of defining someone who's from the Basque country as you probably know far better than I do. In general, Spaniards are hospitable, kind, and welcoming to we foreigners.
Powerful and beautiful writing, I can feel the intensity of feeling behind and through your words. And it is a powerful wake-up call too. When I read this quote at the beginning: "It is necessary to spread terror…We have to create the impression of mastery, eliminating without scruples or hesitation all those who do not think as we do.” I thought how chilling and how chilling that those words could easily have been spoken by some of the world's leaders today. Then you made the connection with Trump and it gave me escalofríos.
Yes, agreed! This story took what I hoped people would see Guernica could mean today all the way home. There is no denying we are in a recognized path. In the marker of this century’s version we are within 15 years of duplication. The addition of Technology to the equation makes it hard to predict more narrowly, however the historic patterns, century to century, predict we are winding up to the distortion of moral values and justice combined with Nationalism which results in this very thing. We are seeing versions of it already. It’s a question of whether we choose to call it what it really is.
Thank you amiga, vecina, socia y compatriota for your kind comments about this post. It's shockingly easy to imagine several of our world leaders saying those words. The other quotation that's readily put in the mouth of our shadow president is about being in charge of the entire business without the responsibility. How terrifying. Joining you in escalofrios.
In the years I was old enough to visit Guernica at MOMA I took it for granted. The world seemed to be moving to a better place. Its role as a protest to the Viet Nam War seemed its valiant reprise, but not one at the time I imagined would need repeating.
At its home in Museo Reina Sofía along with uts preparatory drawings, Guernica calls all to silence. To say one stands in awe of it is an understatement. It is soul crushing. The images of the under painting, of Picasso in process, project the work as it happened. One feels in these images a transference to the very air of the consternation. Determination to Get It Right: Struggling with twists of form and shape to honor the bodies, their lives, their home and their history in a timeless tomb. The achievement cannot be understated. This is what terror looks like.
And yet… there is no reprieve. This is one of most hardworking masterpieces of today, even as it stands still in its own cathedral. The hush of visitors is palpable, for there is no sanctuary from it. We stand before a pattern we can no longer deny.
Surely, the fascists would have destroyed it, had they got their hands upon it. Pray it will remain safe to continue to tell the story.
Thank you for this beautiful, poetic, and poignant comment. You're absolutely right about the silence. Talking in that room would be bordering on sacreligious or criminal. One can't disrupt the awe, wonder, and shock of this painting. It something that every viewer feels.
I very much appreciate your comments to me and others. Very thoughtful.
No, we only had about ten days for that vacation so we did that much. After Guernica we went to Asturias and hiked there for a few days and then jumped on the trail again a few days outside of Santiago de Campostela.
Now we hike every summer the GR11, the trail that runs along the Spanish side of the Pyrenees. It's so beautiful.
Thank you so much, Ashley. This trip to the Reina Sophia couldn't have come at a timelier moment. Just one more painful and terrifying reminder of where we are and where we could go.
Thank you so much for your kind comment. Alas, this kind of power and territory grabbing is happening way to often all over the world. It's hard to fathom why the world is going in this direction instead of enlightenment about a global vision, equity, and unity. Civilization and governments have certainly had a while to think about it.
“Imagine”.. the song. yes, it could go either way. My idealistic self cannot understand. I don’t think it is about some short term collective memory loss either. Guernica is only 88 years old. These bad people know what they are doing and yet still don’t seem to care. I don’t want to cave into saying it is human nature either. Human intervention more precisely unless you can say “greed” is human nature. If it is, that is something we could choose to change. My children who are now 28 and 30 learned about “tolerance” in both public and private schools throughout their whole time in school. That is about to be undone. Very sad.
Thanks Andrea. Pasting here a passage from your piece.
These pilots carried out what a Spanish general said on July 19, 1936, the day after the military coup began, “It is necessary to spread terror…We have to create the impression of mastery, eliminating without scruples or hesitation all those who do not think as we do.”
Exactly what this Administration is doing - eliminating those who do not think as we do - Very dangerous time in our democracy.
Thank you, Tim, for reading and commenting. It's frightening to see this play out when the world has experienced this before, many times, and seen the consequences.
Years and years ago, I spent time in Spain and got to spend time at Franco’s tomb (Valley of the Fallen). It was long before I imagined I’d have a personal interest in standing against fascism. I carry some of those images in my heart to this day. Thank you for refreshing that memory.
Steve, thanks so much for your comments and sharing your experience. I haven't been to the Valley of the Fallen yet and I think I'd like too. It requires a strong stomach but now it will have a lot more meaning and remind me, as you said, to take a stand.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Daniela.
whew. Indeed, Andrea, indeed. I hope our artists are working away now, more than ever. Thank you for this very illuminating essay tying the historical value and context of such important art to it's political context. And how we always need our artists to tell the truth.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Sabrina. We all have to use whatever mediums we can to communicate, especially at times like this. Picasso said that he didn't have any political or social intentions with this painting and that one could view and interpret the shapes as one liked but whether that was true or not, his painting has stirred millions of people who have drawn similar conclusions.
Wow,tremendo escrito.
Gracias, mi cielo.
This is so interesting Andrea, I saw Guernica at MOMA and later in Madrid. I had no real understanding of what it portrayed. Thank you for giving us this lesson in history. Margo
It is a shame our teaching of art history and physical, actual history does not marry the two adequately. They are taught in silos. History is taught from the top down. Art History is more often about the story from The People upward. Those who have talent were not royals. They were average people risen up by the sheer spark of their creativity being recognized, valued. Then they tell the story.
Sure, the Academy tried to control it. But art movement after art movement freed creatives from the shackles of hierarchy.
Margo, thank you for reading and commenting. Your situation probably reflects most people, including me. I hadn't paid that much attention either as when I learned in high school in a history of art class about the painting Guernica, I knew nothing about Spain or the Civil War. Putting these things in context, as LaMonica says below would make a big difference in understanding and appreciation of art and history. They can't be separated.
Thank you Andrea. Our Guernica is not a place, nor a painting, it is our Constitution. The carpet bombing is a deluge of Executive Orders issued by a delusional president, the attack plan is Project 2025 and our Luftwaffe is a feckless congress and politicized Supreme Court that refuses to enforce checks and balances to protect the American people.
Exactly. Yet the painting of Guernica records it forever. And when those who knew how critical is was to preserve the story in a visual construct other than photography refused to advance the work back to Spain they were acting as protectors of truth.
So the question of who and how it will be to record the current destruction of our constitution in order to preserve the truth of what is happening in a tangible way for next generations remains.
Art IS the catalyst of emotional resonance making the message remain strong, experientially to each person every single time it is viewed —as if it were a fresh wound. There are really no other vehicles of communication which can wire do the same thing. Written record, news reporting… nothing comes close to the universal language of art.
Couldn’t agree more.
That's so true, Monica. Art and music hit all hearts and souls and help us share among one another despite our differences.
Very well put, LLL. Thank you. All of those analogies are true. How far is this destruction going to go? What works and words will someday become famous around the world to remind people of the dangers of these flagrant violations of democracy?
Ughhhhh. And yessssss.
Interesting background story. Thank you. Interesting fact about the Basque..... A Basque person is literally defined as someone who speaks Basque. Doesn't matter where you are from, if you can get by, you are one of them. That is why I love living here.
We seek the island refuge it seems you have found!
I certainly enjoy it here. I have moved too many times to count. This has been the longest I have ever been in one place. Going on 10 years this year.
I have always wanted to come since I studied it in French class of 3rd grade! How was it you came to learn Basque?
Thank you, So/ren, for reading and commenting. I'm sure there are many other ways of defining someone who's from the Basque country as you probably know far better than I do. In general, Spaniards are hospitable, kind, and welcoming to we foreigners.
Powerful and beautiful writing, I can feel the intensity of feeling behind and through your words. And it is a powerful wake-up call too. When I read this quote at the beginning: "It is necessary to spread terror…We have to create the impression of mastery, eliminating without scruples or hesitation all those who do not think as we do.” I thought how chilling and how chilling that those words could easily have been spoken by some of the world's leaders today. Then you made the connection with Trump and it gave me escalofríos.
Yes, agreed! This story took what I hoped people would see Guernica could mean today all the way home. There is no denying we are in a recognized path. In the marker of this century’s version we are within 15 years of duplication. The addition of Technology to the equation makes it hard to predict more narrowly, however the historic patterns, century to century, predict we are winding up to the distortion of moral values and justice combined with Nationalism which results in this very thing. We are seeing versions of it already. It’s a question of whether we choose to call it what it really is.
Thank you amiga, vecina, socia y compatriota for your kind comments about this post. It's shockingly easy to imagine several of our world leaders saying those words. The other quotation that's readily put in the mouth of our shadow president is about being in charge of the entire business without the responsibility. How terrifying. Joining you in escalofrios.
NIce, Andrea. We went to Reina Sofia at the free hour at 4:00, and spent an hour in the Guernica room.
Happy to hear that, Sandra. Even though this room is not filled with paintings, quite the opposite, its aura makes one stay there quietly and think.
In the years I was old enough to visit Guernica at MOMA I took it for granted. The world seemed to be moving to a better place. Its role as a protest to the Viet Nam War seemed its valiant reprise, but not one at the time I imagined would need repeating.
At its home in Museo Reina Sofía along with uts preparatory drawings, Guernica calls all to silence. To say one stands in awe of it is an understatement. It is soul crushing. The images of the under painting, of Picasso in process, project the work as it happened. One feels in these images a transference to the very air of the consternation. Determination to Get It Right: Struggling with twists of form and shape to honor the bodies, their lives, their home and their history in a timeless tomb. The achievement cannot be understated. This is what terror looks like.
And yet… there is no reprieve. This is one of most hardworking masterpieces of today, even as it stands still in its own cathedral. The hush of visitors is palpable, for there is no sanctuary from it. We stand before a pattern we can no longer deny.
Surely, the fascists would have destroyed it, had they got their hands upon it. Pray it will remain safe to continue to tell the story.
Thank you for this beautiful, poetic, and poignant comment. You're absolutely right about the silence. Talking in that room would be bordering on sacreligious or criminal. One can't disrupt the awe, wonder, and shock of this painting. It something that every viewer feels.
I very much appreciate your comments to me and others. Very thoughtful.
It was my pleasure to find your very poignant writing! Did you do El Camino all the way to Santiago de Compostela?
No, we only had about ten days for that vacation so we did that much. After Guernica we went to Asturias and hiked there for a few days and then jumped on the trail again a few days outside of Santiago de Campostela.
Now we hike every summer the GR11, the trail that runs along the Spanish side of the Pyrenees. It's so beautiful.
Sounds wonderful. That is such an interesting region!
This is so beautifully said - thank for your putting into words what so many of us are feeling. And the link to Guernica is so powerful.
Thank you so much, Ashley. This trip to the Reina Sophia couldn't have come at a timelier moment. Just one more painful and terrifying reminder of where we are and where we could go.
Beautiful piece. Can’t help but see the demoralizing destruction of the Palestinian people and Gaza through a similar lens.
Thank you so much for your kind comment. Alas, this kind of power and territory grabbing is happening way to often all over the world. It's hard to fathom why the world is going in this direction instead of enlightenment about a global vision, equity, and unity. Civilization and governments have certainly had a while to think about it.
I appreciate your reading the essay.
“Imagine”.. the song. yes, it could go either way. My idealistic self cannot understand. I don’t think it is about some short term collective memory loss either. Guernica is only 88 years old. These bad people know what they are doing and yet still don’t seem to care. I don’t want to cave into saying it is human nature either. Human intervention more precisely unless you can say “greed” is human nature. If it is, that is something we could choose to change. My children who are now 28 and 30 learned about “tolerance” in both public and private schools throughout their whole time in school. That is about to be undone. Very sad.
Very sad, indeed. So much being destroyed and so fast it's hard to catch our breath.
Thanks Andrea. Pasting here a passage from your piece.
These pilots carried out what a Spanish general said on July 19, 1936, the day after the military coup began, “It is necessary to spread terror…We have to create the impression of mastery, eliminating without scruples or hesitation all those who do not think as we do.”
Exactly what this Administration is doing - eliminating those who do not think as we do - Very dangerous time in our democracy.
Yes, these words reflect just what this administration is doing intentionally. Very scary to see how history is repeating itself. Wake up, world!
A somber and beautiful piece Andrea. Thank you.
Thank you, Martha. I appreciate the comment.
Thank you for that thoughtful and well-written piece: a very important story.
Thank you, Tim, for reading and commenting. It's frightening to see this play out when the world has experienced this before, many times, and seen the consequences.
Years and years ago, I spent time in Spain and got to spend time at Franco’s tomb (Valley of the Fallen). It was long before I imagined I’d have a personal interest in standing against fascism. I carry some of those images in my heart to this day. Thank you for refreshing that memory.
Steve, thanks so much for your comments and sharing your experience. I haven't been to the Valley of the Fallen yet and I think I'd like too. It requires a strong stomach but now it will have a lot more meaning and remind me, as you said, to take a stand.