Iconic Picasso Anti-War Tapestry Returns To The UN After A Year Of Absence
It has been one year since the iconic tapestry depicting Picasso’s Guernica was removed from its spot at the United Nations, but not for any longer—on Saturday, the UN announced that the tapestry was reinstalled.
Guernica, considered by many art critics to be among the most powerful anti-war paintings in history, was woven into a tapestry by Atelier J. de la Baume-Durrbach after being commissioned by former US Vice President Nelson Rockefeller in 1955.
After being offered to the UN on loan in 1984, the tapestry found its new home at the UN Security Council Chamber, the organization’s most powerful body ensuring international peace and security, as reported by the Associated Press.
Around this time last year, the UN returned the tapestry to Nelson A. Rockefeller, Jr, son of the late vice president, on his request. This move dismayed many UN staff and diplomats, the news outlet states. The reason for the request wasn’t stated, although the piece did undergo conservation efforts during its time away.
Meanwhile, the wall upon which it hung remained poignantly empty.
In a statement shared Saturday, Rockefeller states that he was “delighted and deeply grateful” for the “careful stewardship” of the tapestry, and was “grateful that the tapestry will be able to continue to reach a broader segment of the world’s population and magnify its ability to touch lives and educate.”
He also says he intends to donate the work to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the future.
“The Guernica tapestry speaks to the world about the urgent need to advance international peace and security,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres states in a letter to Rockefeller dated December 2021.
“We are honored to serve as careful stewards of this one-of-a-kind iconic work—as we draw inspiration from its message.”
This morning, Picasso’s iconic Guernica tapestry was reinstalled outside the United Nations Security Council Chamber.
— UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) February 5, 2022
👇https://t.co/70wNND2vXs
Watch the installation here:https://t.co/58Z6hnE0NI
[via the Associated Press and WION, images via the UN]
