Abstract

I contend that certain non-verbal paintings such as Picasso’s GUERNICA make (simple) arguments. The modern study of visual argument has mostly focused on partially verbal media such as ads, posters, and cartoons, rather than non-verbal, classic art forms like painting. If a painting’s argument is reasonably good, it would be a source of cognitive value. My analogical approach is to show how pertinent features of viable literary cognitivism can be applied to non-verbal painting.