John Berger's Ways of Seeing is an iconic work in the world of art criticism which traverses the realms of history, culture and sociology. Originally published in 1972 as a four-part BBC television series, Ways of Seeing has gone on to become a seminal work in the field of visual education, highlighting the meanings that can be derived from the study of visual culture. Through philosophical musings, historical metaphors and critical analysis, Berger illuminates the cultural implications surrounding the ownership and consumption of art, which continues to be relevant today.
At the outset of Ways of Seeing, Berger proposes that images have power. This power, he believes, is directly related to their ability to create an emotional bond with the individual that views them. Berger was an advocate of appreciating art beyond the aesthetic, noting that there is a cultural prevalence in our society which results in seeing art from an aesthetic perspective. He argued that art is much more than pieces of fabric stretched over panels or forties hung on the wall. Art, for Berger, is a reflection of the values, attitudes, and beliefs of the people who create, own and consume it.
In the first chapter of Ways of Seeing, Berger explores the manner in which art has been commercialized and how this has influenced how it is seen and consumed. He discusses how the invention of the printing press and the emergence of advertising have enabled art to be reproduced on a mass scale, as well as how it has contributed to the commodification of art. While this has enabled art to be enjoyed by a much broader audience, Berger argues that it has diluted the meaning and significance of the pieces, reducing them to mere products rather than works of art.
Gender is also a major topic of discussion in Ways of Seeing. Through detailed analysis of paintings and artworks from different historical periods, Berger dives into the pervasive gender roles which have been heavily incorporated into the artistic canon. He looks at how the characteristics of male and female have often been idealized through art, and how this has shaped the public's perception of beauty and desirability. By unveiling the gender bias that has been present in the Western art world for centuries, Berger exposes the patriarchal ideology that continues to govern how we view ourselves and our place in society.
In the last chapter of Ways of Seeing, Berger provides a framework for thinking critically about art. He outlines four points that he believes must be considered when looking at art: the world of relations between the work and the world; the function of the artist within that world; the social mediation of context and the spectator’s relation to the work of art. By doing so, Berger demonstrates that works of art need to be interpreted within the social, historical, and political context in which they were created. He argues that genre, style and technique are all crucial aspects to consider when looking at a piece of art, as they all play a role in the overall message or meaning of the work.
In the nearly fifty years since the original publication, John Berger's Ways of Seeing has had a lasting impact on the field of visual education. Through his vivid descriptions and critical analysis, Berger effectively demonstrated how art can serve as a reflection of our beliefs, values and attitudes as individuals and as a society. In a society where art continues to be heavily commodified and commercialized, Berger's writings are a reminder of the need to look beyond the aesthetic and to think more deeply about the value and meaning of art in our lives.
