the way this displayed in the Reina Sofia is fantastic. it’s set in its own room that you approach from the side so you get this experience of turning a corner and boom there’s Guernica. Gave me chills.

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downut 2 days ago | parent | next [-]

When we visited that room in 2012 or so the walls on the other 3 sides had Picasso's studies for the final painting.

The combination of those in proper size context to the astounding thing on that wall was... I dunno, very hard to bear? Chills and goosebumps. Just being in the presence of such genius. [Edited to add: I forgot! Many of the studies are clearly over complicated and colorful. And then you turn to see what was the final result. IMHO It's the same with genius software, in a different medium. Prose too, but maybe that's more contentious.]

There is no digital screen representation that can remotely approximate the psychic impact physical proximity to genius creates. I've felt this with many other greats as well.

I've sat alone in 3 different Rothko rooms. Damn. It's all I can say. You have to do it yourself. Tip: pan your eyes slowly while sitting in different corners.

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armedpacifist 2 days ago | parent [-]

In the autobiography of Man Ray, who was a good friend of Picasso, it's mentioned that the sketchbooks are not preliminary studies, but sketches that came _after_ he finished the painting. Aparently Picasso was still so outraged after finishing the painting, he had to keep going. Man Ray scoffs at the museumguides who explain the sketchbooks as preliminary when according to him they are not. Their original intent adds so much more gravitas to how Picaso (and other people) felt about Guernica.

The reason why I mention this is because those sketchbooks were the first time I got an insight in the process of an artist, realising that a painting doesn't just come out of thin air, but requires meticulous planning. (or so I thought) That's when I realised that anyone can be an artist and it's not just a matter of talent. Seeing the Geurnica and those sketchbooks was a pivotal moment for me to finally pick up a pencil and learn how to draw. Joke's on me... (although I realize the way Picasso works allows you to skip the planning phase, which is just not possible in other painting styles)

	▲	downut 2 days ago \| parent [-]
		I'll take your word for it (Man Ray's) because... Picasso. It's interesting to contemplate though because those studies/sketches/whatever are Picasso, they're great, better than just about anybody who ever painted, but pale next to Guernica.

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joatmon-snoo 2 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

It’s really one of those things that you have to see in person and walk up and down along to understand. The scale of it alone is a huge part of what makes it so memorable.

	▲	hermitcrab 2 days ago \| parent [-]
		Similarly for Gericault's 'Raft of the Medusa'. I had only seen it in a book and had no idea how big it was. It is enormous. Go see it if you are ever at the Louvre (much more impressive than the Moca Lisa IMHO).

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dcrazy 2 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

It’s also perfectly contextualized. In the same wing, there’s a lot of contemporary art and ephemera from all sides of revolutionary Spain, including a model of the building in which Guernica was displayed at the World’s Fair in Paris. It’s almost poetic how it was essentially confined to a basement, as if the republicans were admitting they were on the verge of defeat by Franco.

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aunty_helen 2 days ago | parent | prev [-]

It's a fantastic museum and a highlight of Madrid.