John Berger's Timeless Relevance
John Berger (1926-2017) was a polymathic writer and thinker who went beyond the noble occupation of an art critic, smuggling hope into our lives.
His 1972 TV series and book, Ways of Seeing, remains essential and its ideas are still debated by curators who work in Berger's tradition.
It is very possible that Mr and Mrs Andrews were engaged in the philosophic enjoyment of unperverted Nature. But this in no way precludes them from being at the same time proud landowners…
John Berger's description of Thomas Gainsborough's Mr and Mrs Andrews (around 1770) would be a topic of debate if it were to appear on the painting's label in the National Gallery.
Author's summary: John Berger's writing remains relevant and prescient 50 years on.