Guernica

Pablo Picasso's 'Guernica' is a monumental painting depicting the bombing of the Basque town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. It's currently housed at the Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid. The painting is newsworthy due to two recent developments. First, the Reina Sofía Museum is exhibiting Dumile Feni's 'African Guernica' directly opposite Picasso's masterpiece, creating a dialogue about state violence, apartheid, and different forms of modernity. This juxtaposition aims to explore themes of violence and oppression through different cultural lenses. Second, the Basque Government has formally requested the 'temporary' relocation of 'Guernica' to the Basque Country to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the bombing. This request, presented to the central government, highlights the painting's enduring significance as a symbol of Basque identity and historical trauma.