Unlike other periods in Picasso’s life, from the blue period to the Rose period to the African influenced period to Cubism to Realism and Surrealism, his works are described to resemble old master paintings. After the Second World War, Picasso became a peace activist and joined the French Communist Party in 1944 as their public figure. He traveled to many parts of the world advocating for peace, harmony, understanding and respecting every person's rights, freedoms and life. He remained a member of the Communist Party till his death in 1904.
In 1949, Picasso had traveled to Paris, France for the First ever Peace Conference. Before attending the conference, he visited a restaurant and when he was about to leave, he drew a dove on a napkin and gave it to one of the hoteliers there as a sign of gratitude. Later on, he proceeded to the peace conference where he made a short speech. At the end of his speech, he stated: "I stand for life against death; I stand for peace against war.”
The world without weapons, also known as a blue dove with the yellow sun was drawn in 1962. It is said to be a reproduction of the original Dove of peace which was drawn in 1949 after the peace conference in Paris. This particular drawing became the renowned peace symbol for the peace movement, of which Picasso was an activist, the Communist Party as well as other liberal groups. Over the years, Picasso made many drawings of doves. Similarly, in 1962, Picasso was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize for being an unwavering peace activist for many years.
The Spanish Civil War that resulted in the bombing of Guernica is said to have evoked many feelings in Picasso and ultimately led him to become the passionate defender of peace and liberty that he is well known as till date. The dove that is observed in World without weapons has become a powerful political symbol for peace.
