Subjective Interpretation of Guernica

Picasso’s most famous painting Guernica is arguably among the ranks of the most famous paintings in existence. Because of this, Guernica is also one of the most discussed and widely interpreted works of art in the world. Speculations as to the exact meaning of the images are as numerous and varied as the paintings admirers, and perhaps this was exactly Pablo Picasso's intention. His composition is so compelling and powerful it challenges our most basic notions of war as heroic and noble, and unmasks it as a brutal and agonizing act of destruction and chaos. Although the interpretations vary drastically the further you research the painting, there is a pattern of interpretations that are generally agreed upon by many historians. One of the most common and easily visible expositions relates to Picasso’s use of color. It is widely agreed upon that Picasso uses black, white, and grey paint to set a somber mood and express pain and chaos. The absence of color only adds to the dark and powerful image, it gives me an unsettling feeling, and I feel strongly that this was Picasso’s exact intention. Guernica would not be nearly as haunting if it were to be full of bright and rich colors.
Another common interpretation is that the shape and posture of the bodies express the dynamic of protest. In a certain sense of the word protest I can agree with this interpretation as well. To me, the bodies in the painting are all violently in motion. You can almost feel the all of the pain and chaos depicted in the painting by focusing on the expressions and posture of the bodies. They are so animate and expressive that, to me, they are in protest of death. The screaming and struggling is all so evident and clear it is as if you are witnessing the people clinging to life with all of the strength and emotion that they have remaining.
The light bulb at the top of the painting is another frequently discussed object in the image. Of all the interpretations, it is the general consensus of historians that the light bulb in the painting represents the sun, a common symbol incorporated in many other paintings. It’s easy to see why this interpretation of the light bulb in Guernica is so commonly accepted, but when I see the light that Picasso painted I interpret it slightly differently. I believe that the light bulb and shape of light that surrounds it were painted to purposely depict an eye. To me, this represents an “all-seeing eye” that is shedding light on the truth of war and violence of mankind.
One question that arises when seeking to interpret Picasso’s painting is why he chose to include the animals in the painting. It’s evident that we are observing a scene taking place in a house, where you wouldn’t expect to see a bull, a horse, or a bird. Clearly these animals have a purpose. Art historian Patricia Failing said:

The bull and the horse are important characters in Spanish culture. Picasso himself certainly used these characters to play many different roles over time. This has made the task of interpreting the specific meaning of the bull and the horse very tough. Their relationship is a kind of ballet that was conceived in a variety of ways throughout Picasso's career." Many historians interpret the bull as an obvious symbol of Spanish culture and tradition, in relation to Spanish bullfighting. I can understand the connection that many have made with overall violent and tortuous perspective of war and Spanish bullfighting, both being examples of human incomprehension of violence towards other living beings, wild or not. However, Picasso’s explanation of the animals and other figures in his paintings slightly contradicts the opinions of many historians. Pablo Picasso stated, “...this bull is a bull and this horse is a horse... If you give a meaning to certain things in my paintings it may be very true, but it is not my idea to give this meaning. What ideas and conclusions you have got I obtained too, but instinctively, unconsciously. I make the painting for the painting. I paint the objects for what they are.” It is extremely interesting to me that Pablo Picasso includes such meaningful and powerful details in his painting subconsciously. There is no absence of purpose in any figure or color in Guernica, everything is geniusly and meticulously placed to form an influential and eye-opening work of art.