Jessica's Reviews > Guernica: The Biography of a Twentieth-Century Icon

One of the most powerful paintings of the twentieth century and its creator presented with fascinating historical, political and biographical context. Beginning with the tragic events in Spain leading up to to the second world war, van Hensbergen provides a engaging account of culture and art during and after the war in Europe and America as Guernica, the painting, travels from France across the ocean and finally back home to Spain. Though at times the author goes a bit over the top with his admiration for the art world, for someone unfamiliar with the battles artists encountered in their attempts to bridge the gap between mere aesthetics and political statement, this book provides an excellent primer.