Art and Mass Communication as Political Activism during the Spanish Civil War Megan Palombo, Department of Spanish and Portuguese [email protected] Background Conclusions • The Spanish Civil War began in 1936, • Steer helped us to understand what during a time of political turbulence, happened at Guernica in an objecDve technological advances, and manner, Hemingway helped us to changing international relations. visualize the suffering with a poliDcal • The conflict was between the intent to mobilize people to support Republicans, who supported the the Republic, and Picasso helped us to democratically elected Spanish understand and respond on a deeper, Republic, and the Nationalists, who emoDonal level. supported the military coup led by • Steer’s arDcle, Hemingway’s General Francisco Franco. documentary, and Picasso’s painDng • The Naonalists received support Pablo Picasso’s Guernica was a large 3.5 by 7.75 meter canvas and was displayed at the Spanish Pavilion during the were all poliDcal acDvism at the Dme, from Italy, Germany, Portugal, and Paris ExposiDon in 1937. It is now in the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia in Madrid. but these works transcend Dme and various foreign volunteers. speak to the human capacity to • The Republic received support from empathize with suffering. the Soviet Union, Mexico, and the • These works compel us to move Internaonal Brigades. beyond violence and strive for a more • Both France and Great Britain claimed peaceful and just world. to have a foreign policy of non- • Picasso’s work conDnues to resonate intervenDon. today, almost 80 years later, because as Simon Schama said, “Instead of a laboured literal commentary on Works Studied German warplanes, Basque civilians and incendiary bombs, Picasso • “The Tragedy of Guernica” by George connects with our worst nightmares. Steer (April 1937) He's saying here's where the world's • (April-June 1937) Guernica by Pablo Picasso horror comes from; the dark pit of our • The Spanish Earth by Ernest psyche." Hemingway (July 1937) Life Magazine published an article about Hemingway’s George Steer’s account “The Tragedy of Guernica” documentary, The Spanish Earth, and included images • The bombing of Guernica was the first was published in the London Times. 1 2 from the film with the accompanying narrative. time that civilians were the intended Acknowledgments and sole target of an air raid. Franco Research Questions I would like to thank my supervising professor, Dr. denied responsibility and, through Madeline Sutherland-Meier, and my second reader, censorship of the press, aempted to Dr. Cristina Cabello De Martínez. • How did the bombing of Guernica change the war and the mindset of the Spaniards as cover up the truth. well as people from around the world? • This research focuses on how George • Why does political art, such as Picasso’s Guernica, cause so much controversy? References Steer, Pablo Picasso, and Ernest • Why is this art still so meaningful today? Our Special Correspondent. "The Tragedy Of Hemingway reacted to the Spanish Civil Guernica." Times [London, England] 28 Apr. 1937: 17+. The War through the media of journalism, Times Digital Archive. Web. 13 Mar. 2015. painDng, and film, respecDvely, and the “But Guernica s'll speaks. And when it does, it screams bloody murder.” “The War in Spain Makes a Movie with Captions by Ernest impact of their work on public opinion. Hemingway.” Life Magazine 12 July 1937: 19-22. Print. –Simon Schama “Guernica”: http://www.bollyn.com/public/guernica_all.jpg Schama, Simon. The Power of Art. New York: Ecco, 2006. Print. .