Picasso's 'Guernica'

by Anthony Blunt

, iv, 60 pages including Notes at rear, illustrated throughout with numerous black and white photographic plates, includes fold-out black and white photographic plate at rear

64 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1969

About the author

Anthony Frederick Blunt (26 September 1907 – 26 March 1983) styled Sir Anthony Blunt from 1956 until 1979, was a leading British art historian.

In 1964, after being offered immunity from prosecution, Blunt confessed to having been a Soviet spy. A closely held secret for many years, his status was revealed publicly by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in November 1979, and he was stripped of his knighthood immediately thereafter.

Blunt was Professor of the History of Art at the University of London, director of the Courtauld Institute of Art, and Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures. He was exposed as a member of the Cambridge Five, a group of spies working for the Soviet Union from some time in the 1930s to at least the early 1950s.

Reviews

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A neat little read I scooped on a gift-carded visit to the antique bookseller. Goes into plenty detail of Guernica in its construction, case studies, and related works (by Picasso and others). Gave me many insights into the work I know the most about (which is not saying much) from maybe the world's most famous artist.

Oh yeah and comes with a sick fold-out of the work itself !

[Luke Glaude · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written and researched book. Offers great insight into the history of not only Picasso and his most famous work, but also into the mindless destruction of the Spanish civil war and World War II. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in art and social history. Although Guernica was painted almost 80 years ago, its lessons and implications can still be seen today in places like Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, etc.. Art prevails and all wars eventually come to an end. A reminder that one can focus on politics and the senselessness that comes with it, or one can focus on creating and appreciating art for its' ability to transcend.