Picture this! Words versus Images in Wittgenstein's Nachlass

According to received opinion Ludwig Wittgenstein's involvement with pictures was largely confined to the "picture theory" of the Tractatus. Kristóf Nyíri, in a series of articles, has considerably increased our awareness of the scope and subtlety of Wittgenstein's treatment of this issue. Stepping outside the Platonist tradition and casting doubt upon writing's privileged place in our intellectual history, Nyíri's Wittgenstein can be seen as turning to pictorial representation as an alternative to literal culture. Nyíri has raised a point of utmost importance. A close inspection of the context of the Wittgenstein quote, supplemented by cross-references to earlier stages of the argument, will serve to focus upon the methodological importance of the issue under consideration. However, in spite of the appeal of Nyíri's reading, it has to be set into balance. According to my understanding of the relevant remarks they do not support a pronounced opposition between verbal and pictorial representation.