Wednesday, March 12, 2014

What is the difference between Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People and Picasso's Guernica?

I think that one of the fundamental differences between
both art samples is that they represent opposite extremes of the struggle for political
resistance.  Delacroix's painting is one whereby there is a positive depiction of the
struggle.  Lady liberty stands tall amongst all and is a force with whom there is
complete loyalty and trust.  The dead bodies that are beneath her are only meant to
highlight the importance of her guidance, of the struggle to be free.  Sacrifice is the
feeling one experiences after witnessing this vision of death.  In the end, the pain and
suffering that one endures is placed in this context of a larger vision of sacrifice and
honor.  Lady liberty and the notion of resistance are clearly displayed as positive
political ends, worthy of pursuit.  On the other extreme would be Picasso's work.  In
this vision of the struggle, there is a feeling of total disorder and pure sadness.  The
portrait of resistance is shown to be one where there is complete mourning and pain, a
vision of human suffering resulting from the struggle to be free, to embrace the ends of
lady liberty.  In Picasso, there is a feeling of resounding sadness associated with the
costs of political resistance, whereas in Delacroix, one sees sadness but sees it as a
necessary sacrifice for a transcendent end.  This vision of totality is one that is
sorely lacking in Picasso's work.

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