Review: Picasso's War

What do you think an artist is? An imbecile who has only eyes? Far from it: he is also a political being, constantly aware of the heartbreaking, the passionate, the delightful... How could it be possible to feel no interest in other people? No, painting is not done to decorate apartments. It is an instrument of war.
-- Pablo Picasso (paraphrased from 1945)

Picasso's War is the story of the 1937 bombing of Gernika, Spain. The attack was executed by nascent Nazi Germany, as a "dry run" of blitzkrieg, on behalf of Franco's rebel forces. There was no advance warning; the Nazis bombed and strafed the defenseless city into ruins in 3 hours. Hundreds of men, women, and children perished.

In particular, the book describes a painting by Picasso -- a rare political statement created in direct response to the attack. Though subject to mixed reviews at its opening in Paris, the work became a legend throughout Spain and, eventually, throughout the world. The Japanese (Hiroshima), Vietnamese (My Lai), and Americans (NYC) all claim a certain kinship with the sentiment.

Based on the strength of Beethoven's Hair, I have bought this book as a gift for friends. I think it is tremendously important work, and I'm grateful to have read it (*whispers* though Beethoven's Hair was more interesting on the whole). Definitely a must-read, but perhaps through the library.