News - Picasso's Guernica Unmovable - Spain

Pablo Picasso’s huge war-torn masterpiece, 'Guernica' is, according to the Head of Restoration at Madrid's Reina Sofia Museum, in a ‘stable but serious condition’. Depicting the Nazi bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War, the piece, a mural-size canvas painted in oil, was acquired by Reina in 1992, along with several preparatory works. It was a move that proved controversial in Spain; Picasso's will stated that the painting should be displayed at the Prado in Madrid. Unsurprisingly there are those in the Basque, where Guernica is situated, who are keen to see the work returned its spiritual home. Reina states the work has 'suffered a lot and requires special care'. How it's suffered, who knows. Having been housed behind bullet proof glass with aligning machine gun toting guards, you'd imagine the work is as pampered and protected as your average pop star, rock star. Whatever. No doubt Reina would prefer to hold on to the work – Guernica is visited by hundreds of tourists and art lovers annually – so for the time being, it's unlikely to be heading elsewhere.