This quiz looks at Pablo Picasso’s Guernica, one of the most powerful anti-war paintings in history. The mural stands as a striking symbol of peace and devastation.
You will see questions about the historical events of 1937, the artistic choices Picasso made, and where the canvas was kept during Spain’s dictatorship. Some questions focus on his symbols, while others ask about reproduction pieces.
After you finish, you can visit other pages focused on famous artists, browse our guide on art movements, or look at other masterpieces.
Which historical conflict served as the context for the creation of Pablo Picasso’s mural, ‘Guernica’?
Napoleonic Wars
Napoleonic Wars
Franco-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War
Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
World War I
World War I
Which military force carried out the aerial attack on the town of Guernica in April 1937?
The Soviet Air Force
The Soviet Air Force
Nazi Germany’s Luftwaffe
Nazi Germany’s Luftwaffe
The United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces
The British Royal Air Force
The British Royal Air Force
What medium did Pablo Picasso use to paint the original ‘Guernica’ mural?
Watercolor on paper
Watercolor on paper
Acrylic on board
Acrylic on board
Fresco on plaster
Fresco on plaster
Oil on canvas
Oil on canvas
What is a notable feature concerning the color palette used in ‘Guernica’?
Multi-colored pigments
Multi-colored pigments
Deep blues and greens
Deep blues and greens
Black, white, and gray shades
Black, white, and gray shades
Warm earth tones
Warm earth tones
At which 1937 event was ‘Guernica’ first publicly exhibited?
Paris International Exposition
Paris International Exposition
Venice Biennale
Venice Biennale
The Prado Museum
The Prado Museum
The Tate Gallery
The Tate Gallery
Which two animals are the most prominent figures depicted in the mural?
A bull and a horse
A bull and a horse
An elephant and a wolf
An elephant and a wolf
A lion and a tiger
A lion and a tiger
A bear and an eagle
A bear and an eagle
Which of these visual elements is included in the composition of ‘Guernica’?
A broken sword
A broken sword
A bowl of fruit
A bowl of fruit
A starry night sky
A starry night sky
A melting clock
A melting clock
Where was ‘Guernica’ housed for many years while Spain was under the dictatorship of Francisco Franco?
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York
The Reina Sofía in Madrid
The Reina Sofía in Madrid
The National Gallery in London
The National Gallery in London
The Louvre in Paris
The Louvre in Paris
How is light represented at the top of the mural?
A flaming torch
A flaming torch
A glowing crescent moon
A glowing crescent moon
A lighthouse beam
A lighthouse beam
A lightbulb positioned within an eye-shaped halo
A lightbulb positioned within an eye-shaped halo
What were the circumstances regarding the commission of the painting?
It was a direct commission from the Spanish Republican government
It was a direct commission from the Spanish Republican government
It was a personal project started without a commission
It was a personal project started without a commission
It was commissioned by the city of Guernica itself
It was commissioned by the city of Guernica itself
It was commissioned by a private art collector
It was commissioned by a private art collector
What condition did Picasso set for the painting’s return to Spain?
Picasso donated the painting to the United Nations upon completion
Picasso donated the painting to the United Nations upon completion
Picasso intended for it to be buried with him
Picasso intended for it to be buried with him
Picasso requested the painting never return to Spain until democracy was restored
Picasso requested the painting never return to Spain until democracy was restored
Picasso stipulated that it must be destroyed if the republic fell
Picasso stipulated that it must be destroyed if the republic fell
Where is the famous tapestry reproduction of ‘Guernica’ permanently displayed?
The United Nations headquarters in New York
The United Nations headquarters in New York
The Palace of Versailles in France
The Palace of Versailles in France
The Peace Palace in The Hague
The Peace Palace in The Hague
The Spanish Parliament building
The Spanish Parliament building
In what form is the version of ‘Guernica’ displayed at the United Nations created?
Tapestry
Tapestry
Marble relief
Marble relief
Glass mosaic
Glass mosaic
Metal sculpture
Metal sculpture
Who commissioned the tapestry replica of ‘Guernica’ that was loaned to the United Nations?
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt
Dag Hammarskjöld
Dag Hammarskjöld
John D. Rockefeller III
John D. Rockefeller III
Nelson Rockefeller
Nelson Rockefeller
In what year was the tapestry reproduction of ‘Guernica’ officially placed at the United Nations?
1980
1980
1985
1985
1990
1990
1995
1995
In 2003, the tapestry at the United Nations was famously covered up during a press conference; what was the occasion of that press conference?
Commemoration of the Nuremberg Trials
Commemoration of the Nuremberg Trials
Presenting the case for the invasion of Iraq
Presenting the case for the invasion of Iraq
A call for universal human rights legislation
A call for universal human rights legislation
An address on the war in Afghanistan
An address on the war in Afghanistan
Which art movement is ‘Guernica’ most famously associated with, given its fragmented shapes and multiple perspectives?
Cubism
Cubism
Impressionism
Impressionism
Fauvism
Fauvism
Surrealism
Surrealism
What is the primary thematic message of ‘Guernica’?
To condemn the brutality of war and the suffering of civilians
To condemn the brutality of war and the suffering of civilians
To illustrate the history of the Spanish monarchy
To illustrate the history of the Spanish monarchy
To honor the military victory of the Nationalist forces
To honor the military victory of the Nationalist forces
To depict the serene beauty of the Basque countryside
To depict the serene beauty of the Basque countryside
In what year did the original painting finally return to Spanish soil?
1978
1978
1981
1981
1985
1985
1975
1975
Which museum currently houses the original ‘Guernica’ painting?
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid
Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid
Bilbao Fine Arts Museum
Bilbao Fine Arts Museum
Prado Museum in Madrid
Prado Museum in Madrid
According to Pablo Picasso’s own interpretation of ‘Guernica’, which animal represented brutality and darkness?
Horse
Horse
Bull
Bull
Dove
Dove
Lion
Lion
In how many days did Pablo Picasso complete the painting ‘Guernica’?
35 days
35 days
45 days
45 days
55 days
55 days
25 days
25 days
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