In Episode 2 “Way of seeing”, Berger tells us that women in Renaissance painting would be shown naked to give pleasure to men. He also says that nude were an important part of their tradition in European art and that is how women there would be judged by men. However, I believe women today have become more conscious about their looks and they have control over their images in the media. However, sometimes some women get used by the media for their popularity because still today, we can see magazines, posters, and paintings full of half nacked body to sexually attract men. Berger says that images of women would play a big role in sexuality back then. Many people assume that sexuality plays the same role in images of women today as well. I understand that the way of representations have changed by the time but the men’s behaviour about nude painting and nacked body to sexuality toward women are still the same.

Representations of women today objectify them in similar ways as what Berger stated about women in Renaissance paintings. They explain how the women in the painting thinks about how men see them. That is very similar to how representations of women today are shown. Representations of women are shown to revolve around men. I think women do not have control over their images in the media. Many of the media is still determined by the male gaze.

Sexuality plays the same role in images of women as what Berger describes because it is mostly assessed and judged by men. Many things about women are associated with sexuality. They say women are projected with erotic images. Many women are seen sexually because of this.

women are viewed in a similar  way as in the paintings but women have more control how they are seen  these days they are till sometimes viewed as objects but these days women  have control on how they they look to . women are viewed in a similar way as in the paintings but they have more control these days they are till sometimes viewed as objects but these days women  have control on how they they look to . Berger says that women are view to please the male gaze in the paintings  but  in present day women  don’t always try to appear to the man eyes they mostly focused on how they look with them self but not always the case .Some women do try to appear to the males fantasy . but even they try or don’t try  they are  is still going to be sexualized .In the painting are  real  there’s no filters or cover ups  like these days . women  are of course still sexualized on all plat forms .but women have somewhat of control on how they are seen  by what  they wear ,makeup, filters ,etc. From the paintings  they are seen to only be for the male gaze ,as of today women on magazine, photos and many other plant forms  not only for male gaze but they seek to  be beautiful for them self’s but not always for the male eye but in some cases  yes. In the  paintings  they still have similar to how women are objectified today because women are still sexulized  in person and in media  from men ,they mostly focused on how they look with them self’s but not always the case .some women do try to appear to the males fantasy . but even they try or don’t try they is still are going to be sexulized .In the painting are real  , there’s filters or cover ups  like these days . women  are of course still sexulized on all plat forms .but women have somewhat of control on how they seen are by what were makeup, filters .etc. from the paintings  they re seen to only be for the male gaze ,as of to day women on magazine ,photos and many other plant forms  not only for male eyes  but they seek to beautiful for them self’s but not always for the men but in some cases . in  paintings  they still have similar to how women are objectified today because women are still sexulized  in person and in media  as he says in the painting women looking in the mirror she sees  how men sees her ,in these times women still view how men see them but some times women may not think the same.  as some women look in the mirror and think only how they see themselves.

In Ways of Seeing John Berger shows images of nude women in Renaissance paintings and examines how women were represented at that time. Berger stated that women were judged and objectified by men during that time. Comparing that era to today’s time, many things have changed, and so has the attitude of women and men. Although it is still partially true that women are still objectified, women have become more aware of this reality and fight against the notion of how they should be. Women today are often represented as more independent and freer. There are women presented in media platforms to get men’s attention for selling products or for other business purposes, but there are also many other platforms which defy the idea of women being vulnerable and as subservient as Renaissance oil paintings depicted. Berger also mentions that women’s images were made to appeal men’s sexuality, however, today women’s images are not solely to appeal to men’s sexuality but to represent who they are and their own self-expression. 

I would say women today are still viewed in similar ways but we have evolved in the media and have more control on how women are viewed but as well woman are still viewed as a sexual tool because women always want to measure up to what’s being shown by man on either TV, Magazine or any social media platform that’s just not being a realist for woman. It just all depends what the media shows you but like in the videos Berger says it’s on the point of view of the beholder to view someone in that way. Women now do have control over their images despite us having social media platforms that show you how you should look physically, what you should wear and how you should act. We women have more control than what we tend to think but because we’ve always been overruled by men we fail to see that. No matter what we are always viewed by the males gaze and a sexual attraction to them because of the exaggeration of one man’s desire. Like one of the speakers says you see more truth and realness and connection towards a photograph than in a painting. Why? Well because in a photograph you’re seeing an actual person, someone you can connect to, a setting, realness of a woman. In a painting it is viewed by the man and what he sees, the sexual desire and the exaggeration of a woman with huge breasts or bottom in which you can’t really have no connection to or agree because that’s just not how we view ourselves. 

Many people may think women are represented in a different light due times changing over the years and how women view themselves in the household and in general but I still think we are viewed the same. Just as the women were mentioning in episode 2 of ‘Ways of Seeing’ women are painted by men for their satisfaction and not the origin purpose of it. Women can have control over their images in the media but 9 times out 10 it will always be controlled and sexualized by the public (mostly men) because in the entertainment industry ‘sex sells’. The conversations that Berger and the women are having are very relevant today.

As Berger explained in episode 1 which can be connected to what the panel of women were talking about is ‘the image or painting being taken or painted can mean one thing to the photographer or artist but once that photograph or painting reaches your home and etc it has a different meaning to everyone. So now the photograph or painting loses purpose with every replica made.’ The conversations from episode 1 and 2 describes the sexuality in images from 1972 and sadly were are still in the place or maybe a even worse position. You can see it and hear it through out movies, tv shows, award shows, fashion shows, schools, barber shops, hair salons, photo shoots and etc.

In John Berger’s ” Ways of Seeing” he explains how art is observed. John Berger goes over different types of art in episode 1 and state how we could look at art in multiple perspectives and can mean or symbolize something different based on our understanding. Furthermore, John Berger focus on how women is depicted in Renaissance paintings in episode 2 as submissive and pleasurable to men. Representations of women today is objectified in the same way John Berger argues about how women is perceived as sex objects. Today’s society we have social media, magazines, and TV (just to name a few) have a huge influence on how women should view themselves or to attract men attention. In general no matter if the women is naked or even fully clothed they will still be portrayed sexually they don’t have full control of their image. In episode two John Berger stated that “To be naked is to be oneself. To be nude is to be seen naked by others and yet recognized for oneself”. He implies how a women’s naked body viewed in a sexual matter can be a form of nudity.

Don’t compare yourself to others some would say but in today’s society, women cant help but to demonstrate and compare how sexy they see themselves and how they want to be seen by others.  Being sexy sells, it is the added bonus to a woman. Todays women do not seem to care if they are seen in the nude or not, they do this as a gesture, they do this to feel good about themselves or to attract attentions. Women today are very strong  when it comes to self perception, they see themselves as powerhouses and do not want to be told or reminded of their level of nudity. Berger differentiates being nude is not being naked and being naked is not being nude, but to today’s standards, women in society would agree that partially nude and naked are all the same.

Its hard to argue if women have control over what franchises show women should look like. The media post, the media buys, it sells and it keeps. If a woman is dressed a certain way to advertise their sexuality be it accidentally or intentionally the media will mop up that gesture without control. We are surrounded by the images in life and the media sees these images to sell, for publicity and to entertain.

Sexuality will always play the biggest role to attract a man’s gaze. Sexuality is internal and external. Women like to be looked upon, therefore nudity should be perceived in the eyes of the beholder. Narcissism comes naturally to both men and women and its needs to attract one another. Needless to say it comes effortlessly and even compulsory for a man to gaze upon and be drawn by a woman’s sexuality.

1. Do representations of women today objectify them in the same or similar ways as what Berger argues about women depicted in Renaissance paintings? Do women have control over their images in the media or are they still determined by the male gaze? Does sexuality play the same role in images of women today as what Berger describes? (As you think about your answer think of specific places in the episode to respond to, and try to use techniques from They Say/I Say to formulate your response. In other words, use Berger’s analysis as a “they say.”)