John Berger- Ways of Seeing

John Berger is an English painter, art critic, novelist, poet and author. He was born on the 5th of November 1926 in London, England. In his TV series and book called "Ways of Seeing" he expands his criticism and knowledge upon several artistic key points. He begins by discussing how paintings, drawings and art in general is percept by people differently. He debates that each individual has a different interaction and understanding of a painting; it depends solely on ones imagination and in depth love to art. Berger expands this notion by stating that the true definition of a painting only lies in the hands of its artist. Another point John discusses in his series is the negative and positive implications of reproductions. He explains that with the use of modern technology, vintage paintings have been duplicated and published a more vast audience, which is an advantage, as more people would be able to view the piece of art. However, Berger criticises how the procedure of reproduction has led to distortion and loss of meaning to the drawing. "Paintings often show treasures, but paintings have become treasures themselves," Berger quotes that the drawing found in a painting is of great meaningful value, however, nowadays these same paintings have become of great financial value.