War shocks the affected population with its horrors, and often artists seek to cope with them, rethink them, and create a reminder of cruelty to prevent it through their creativity. In this way, the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939 influenced several artists of its time and reflected in their works. Although the wars continue globally, art reinforces the impression of suffering that they carry o can contribute to reducing violence or help people survive experienced trauma.
The paintings created as a reaction to the war represent its various aspects. Salvador Dali made Soft Construction with Boiled Beans before events began and said he foresaw the conflict. His painting depicts two fighting monsters, which seem to be parts of one creature. It correlates with the idea of one nation’s representatives destroying each other in conflict. Pablo Picasso’s Guernica is a reaction to the bombing of Guernica city. The piece conveys the horrors and losses of the event – dead adults and children, a horse in agony as an important symbol in Spain, and the suffering of survivors are present here. David Alfaro Siqueiros’s Echo of a Scream also captures war’s horrors and devastation. The screaming baby conveys the fear that armed conflict brings. The child is surrounded by destruction, and the tree and factory behind remind people of changes in the population’s daily lives and the destroyed economy. In various ways, artists represent the hardships, violence, and horrors of war.
Thus, wars severely impact people, which is often reflected in art. It shows events that people who have been affected by the conflict have survived. As a result, such paintings can show the horror and cruelty of wars to warn of their danger. Moreover, art helps survivors see that they are not alone in their experiences and contribute to the understanding and coping with trauma. Therefore, the reaction to conflicts reflected in the paintings is natural and important.