John berger ways of seeing summary chapter 7

The woman is usually posed in a way to please the viewer, her gaze is meant to entice the viewer, and this notion is the same in modern day advertisements and photographs. The typical female nude is painted with the assumption of a male presence, whether in the painting or the viewer as the male presence. The typical female nude painting of traditional oil painting period seems modest compared to what we encounter today, but it is also similar to many photographs today. The subjects of paintings have their own social meaning. The masterpieces have always been a symbol of stature, class, culture and education. The social meaning of art has always been a dynamic part of art. The way art is viewed has changed dramatically over the course of a hundred years due to technology and social change.

Since art is so widely accessible famous works are being quoted or appropriated for other works of art, advertisements, and merchandise. On the other hand, art is more widely viewed and loved because of being about to put pictures in books, postcards or posters. Authenticity is paramount now because of the threat of reproduction. With the reproduction, arts value has been placed aesthetically and monetarily on a different level then before. It also has the ability to change the entire meaning of a painting by placing it with certain texts or other paintings. Art is now able to be reproduced and many people can view it, not solely an elite few. This all changed at the advent of the camera which has manipulated the way we look at art today. During the time of traditional oil painting, from 1500-1900, paintings were prized because they were the only way to capture a moment in time and possess it forever. The composition of the painting can often create the power a painting has, by having unity, harmony or contrast. The mystery intrigues viewers to want more. The artist is really the only one who knows exactly what was going on when the painting was made, viewers can only interpret. The power images have also mystifies viewers. There are things we cannot describe in words but that images can illustrate. Images are the most powerful communicator we have. Berger turns to modern day and explains the role that publicity takes in our daily lives and how it is modeled after the traditional oil painting of the past.Р”В«erger embarks on the explanation of the different views of art from the 1500.s to modern day in this first chapter. The relationship between social status and the subjects of oil painting, particularly the female nude is discussed as well. The beginning of the book goes into the issue of how people now look at art versus how people in the past look at art and how reproduction has effected this. is an in depth look on art, the way people view it and the influences that traditional oil painting has had on society and modern day publicity. Discourse on 'Ways of Seeing' by John BergerР”В®mail: Berger.s.

John berger ways of seeing summary chapter 7