Ways of Seeing

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Ways of Seeing
Authors and Contributors      By (author) John Berger
SeriesPenguin Modern Classics
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:176
Dimensions(mm): Height 181,Width 111
Category/GenreTheory of art
ISBN/Barcode 9780141035796
ClassificationsDewey:701.15
Audience
General
Tertiary Education (US: College)
Illustrations Integrated illustrations throughout; Integrated illustrations throughout

Publishing Details

Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
Imprint Penguin Classics
Publication Date 25 September 2008
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

Based on the BBC television series, John Berger's Ways of Seeing is a unique look at the way we view art, published as part of the Penguin on Design series in Penguin Modern Classics. 'Seeing comes before words. The child looks and recognizes before it can speak.' 'But there is also another sense in which seeing comes before words. It is seeing which establishes our place in the surrounding world; we explain that world with words, but word can never undo the fact that we are surrounded by it. The relation between what we see and what we know is never settled.' John Berger's Ways of Seeing is one of the most stimulating and 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. If you enjoyed Ways of Seeing, you might like Susan Sontag's On Photography, also available in Penguin Modern Classics.

Author Biography

John Peter Berger (born November 5th, 1926) is an art critic, painter and novelist.