Artist Quote by John Berger
““Thus painting itself had to be able to demonstrate the desirability of what money could buy. And the visual desirability of what can be bought lies in its tangibility, in how it will reward the touch, the hand, of the owner.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Ways of Seeing, John Berger, 1972
Art must show the appeal of purchasable objects, emphasizing their tangible, tactile qualities that promise personal satisfaction.
In simple terms: Art shows why bought things feel rewarding.
Key Takeaway
Consider how touch influences desire.
Themes
art
consumerism
perception
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
analytical
observational
When to use this quote
- gallery visits
- interior design
- marketing
- product development
Key Concepts
aesthetics
material culture
desirability
Questions to Reflect On
- How does tactile appeal shape buying?
- Can art critique materialism?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook non‑tangible values like meaning or ethics.
![“There's the artist's intimacy and truthfulness to himself, but an equal intimacy to the Other [the one drawn]. Picasso drawings are like that... the Rembrandts are like that. The artist who most often did that was Van Gogh.” quote by John Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0d1/john-berger-1590_art_there-s-the-artist-s-intimacy-and-truthf_155171.jpg)
