As we see | John Berger

John Berger's As We See is one of the most influential and popular contemporary books on art. Based on the BBC television series of the same name, it was first published in 1972 by Penguin Books .

In this work, the British art critic explores how we perceive artistic images and demonstrates that beyond the plot content, every image has an ideological component. Using examples from painting and advertising, Berger shows how technical reproduction changes our attitude towards art.

The author's key thesis is that an art history text should not only convey an authoritative opinion, but should also encourage the reader to see and understand for themselves. This idea is embodied in the structure of the book: text sections alternate with visual essays consisting exclusively of images. Such a structure invites the reader not only to read, but also to actively look — before and after the text — and to independently search for meaning.

Berger sought to spark a broader discussion of the themes raised in the book: the image of women in art, the role of advertising, the peculiarities of oil painting, and the impact of reproductions. He hoped that these discussions would be taken up by students, artists, teachers, art institutions, and researchers.

John Berger is one of the most influential English-language art critics of the second half of the 20th century. His writings on visual perception, photography, revolution, and art have had a significant impact on popularizing the modern approach to art among the general public. "As We See" is included in the mandatory curriculum of many art history courses around the world and remains a significant source in discussions about "art in the age of technical reproduction" (Berger develops the ideas of Walter Benjamin), the representation of the female body, and the relationship between oil painting and advertising.

The publication was made possible with the support of the European Union within the framework of the "House of Europe" program.

The book's design follows the original English-language version, created by Richard Golis in collaboration with the author specifically for Penguin Books in 1972. We took care to preserve all the details intended by Berger: the sequence, format, and color of the illustrations.