Ways of Seeing - Essay Example

Introduction The aim of the book was to criticize cultural aesthetics from western traditions due to what was termed as hidden ideologies that affected visual images perspective. This book, however, has contributed a lot to feminist readings of popular culture hence; it has been considered a seminal text that should be used by visual culture and art history. Meanwhile, this book talks about old master’s painting reproduction outdoing the work of art in the Age of Mechanical reproduction. In addition, the book also talks about nude females whose desire not only depicts a woman as herself but also as a subject of male idealization or desire (Berger 14-30).

Ways of Seeing Ways of Seeing has seven essays that have been divided into two major forms. This includes; four essays that use words, and images, and the remaining three that use only images to illustrate given information or an idea. This book /video categorically illustrates that ‘seeing comes before words’. The way the child looks and recognizes before he or she can speak is an example that justifies the illustration that states that seeing comes before words (Walters 79-83). In another scenario, ways of seeing establish the place in the surrounding world.

We usually see the sunset in the evening and justify that the earth is turning away and this shows that the explanation behind the scenario never quite fits the vista within our eyes. According to Fuery and Kelli (41-46), the key of dreams painting presentation shows how a gap exists between words and seeing. According to the key of dreams in painting, what we know and believe is affected by the way we see things in the surrounding world as seen in Figure 1. Various scenarios have been portrayed in this book in regard to ways of seeing.

The method of seeing, however, encounters changes in image perception. As established by various scholars, an image either can be recreated or reproduced to represent a set of appearances hence; suggesting that we use the word since all images are man-made (Fuery and Kelli 67-72). In regards to the valuation of an image, it is therefore known that an image gives a value in response to its representation. In regards to the national gallery, the firm has reproduced several Leonardo’s cartoons like The Virgin and Child with St Anne and St.

John the Baptist, which became famous and however, an American tycoon wanted to buy Leonardo’s cartoons for two and a half million pounds as in Figure 2. This is an example of the valuation various images have hence; leading to wealth generation. Personal biographies also derive concrete meaning from an image and can affect us at large. As published by Frans Hals, personal biographies have been portrayed in regard to Governors and the Governesses of an Alms House who were commissioned on powerful duty.

In regards to figure three, the image contributes a fundamental power of painting image. It has significant harmonious fusion, unforgettable contrast, and a peak of breadth and strength that transfers emotion to anyone seeing it. Conclusion In conclusion, the ways of seeing categorically illustrate that ‘seeing comes before words’. In regards to the valuation of an image, it is therefore known that an image gives value in response to its representation, Personal biographies, encounter changes, and individual perception of the image.Berger p. 20Berger p.

12Berger 23Works CitedBerger, John. Ways of Seeing. London: British Broadcasting Corporation and Penguin Books, 1972. Print. Fuery, Patrick, and Kelli, Fuery. Visual Cultures and Critical Theory. London: Hodder Arnold Publications, 2003. Print. Walters, Suzanna. Material Girls: Making Sense of Feminist Cultural Theory. The University of California Press, 1995. Print.