Final answer:
Pablo Picasso made the statement about painting being an instrument of war in reference to his work Guernica, an iconic protest against the bombing of the Basque town during the Spanish Civil War, which remains a powerful symbol against the horrors of war.
Step-by-step explanation:
The person who said, "Painting is not done to decorate apartments. It is an instrument of war for attack and defense against the enemy", was Pablo Picasso. This statement reflects Picasso's belief in the power of art as a tool for political expression and social change, particularly in reference to his painting Guernica. Guernica is a massive, monochromatic oil painting that powerfully protests against the bombing of the Basque town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War and the resulting civilian suffering.
One influential episode involving Picasso occurred when a Nazi officer, who saw a photograph of Guernica, asked Picasso if he was responsible for the painting. Picasso's famous response was, "No, you did," highlighting the culpability of the oppressors in creating the scenes of devastation rendered in his artwork.
In modern times, the role of art in protest remains significant. The discreet covering of a Guernica tapestry at the UN during Colin Powell's 2003 speech advocating for the Iraq War, demonstrated the enduring symbolic power of Picasso's anti-war imagery. Art communicates and can influence public opinion about crucial issues such as war, making it an instrumental medium for awareness and resistance.