Now people look at 'The Scream' or Van Gogh's 'Irises' or a Picasso and see its new content: money. Auction houses inherently equate capital with value.

Summary

This quote emphasizes how contemporary society often perceives and appraises art based on its financial worth rather than its artistic significance. It suggests that iconic works of art, such as "The Scream" by Edvard Munch, "Irises" by Vincent van Gogh, or works by Picasso, are often viewed primarily as valuable commodities to be sold and bought in auction houses. The quote suggests that the association between capital and value by auction houses has shifted the context in which people interact with and interpret art, prioritizing economic considerations over the deeper artistic messages and emotions that these works convey.