es contemplation of the greater forces behind evil and good. His figures represent these forces. His style represents the modern world and thecontemporary conflict. “He is both a romanticists and a classicist, but a romanticopposed to strict rules and devoted heart and soul to the metamorphosis ofreality; one who refuses to interpret life by syllogism alone, acknowledges itsmany riddles and mysteries, and, for all his classicism, is capable of adoptingsimultaneously a multitude of different perspectives” (Zervos 202). While Picasso used imagery from earlier models and composition stylefrom many artists he studied closely he reacted against a realistic portrayal inGuernica. These characteristics combine to make an everlasting impression onhumanity, which some scholars attempt to refute on the basis that his politicalagenda is unworthy of praise because he was most focused on creating more ashocking piece for his exhibition, in which the tragedy was merely an outlet for hisdesire. However, Picasso’s careful treatment of the subject, the fury with whichcan be seen in him through the grotesque distortions of his figures, and thesympathy for which he begs of humanity in the helpless, horrified faces whichlook upon the world from his mural, make an everlasting impression oncivilization of the brutality of war. Whether Picasso’s political agenda was hispriority is certainly debatable, but Picasso once said, “I like what continues”. Guernica must be a source of great satisfaction to him....
