a book
Ways of Seeing
John Berger · 1990 · 176 pages
“The relation between what we see and what we know is never settled” -- so opens John Berger’s revolutionary million-copy bestseller on how to look at art
John Berger's Ways of Seeing is one of the most stimulating and the most influential books on art in any language. First published in 1972, it was based on the BBC television series about which the Sunday Times critic commented: "This is an eye-opener in more ways than one: by concentrating on how we look at paintings . . . he will almost certainly change the way you look at pictures." By now he has.
John Berger's Ways of Seeing is one of the most stimulating and the most influential books on art in any language. First published in 1972, it was based on the BBC television series about which the Sunday Times critic commented: "This is an eye-opener in more ways than one: by concentrating on how we look at paintings . . . he will almost certainly change the way you look at pictures." By now he has.
recommended by 9 people
sourced from public statements
Natalie Wynn (Contrapoints)
“Last time I was reading the only book I’ve ever read, Ways of Seeing by John Berger, I noticed this description of glamour in the context of advertising: “Its promise is not of pleasure, but of happiness: happiness as judged from the outside by others. The happiness of being envied is glamour.” And I felt kind of attacked, because glamour is very important to us. And by us, I mean the gays.”↗
Ben Goldacre
“@Bookmarks_books @OwenJones84 ...NEXT.. John Berger's "Ways Of Seeing" is a life changer, a brain changer. And the book was vastly better than the TV series, because you could take your time. Similarly, an anthology of his shorter pieces, to dip in and out of, is a joy. NEXT...”↗
Sarah Silverman
“Not that u asked but these r probably the 3 books that shaped me the most (plus The Giving Tree)”↗
books like Ways of Seeing
other books recommended by the same people who recommend this one
Shock Value
John Waters
2 shared recommenders
The Odyssey
Homer and translated by Emily Wilson
2 shared recommenders
Man's Search for Meaning
Viktor E. Frankl
2 shared recommenders
Notes on the Cinematographer
Robert Bresson
2 shared recommenders
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
Yuval Noah Harari
2 shared recommenders