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Full Idea
A picture attaches to reality by reaching out to it; it is laid against reality like a measure; only the end-points actually touch the object; the pictorial relationship consists of correlations of picture's elements with things, the picture's feelers.
Gist of Idea
Pictures reach out to or feel reality, touching at the edges, correlating in its parts
Source
Ludwig Wittgenstein (Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus [1921], 2.1511-5)
Book Ref
Wittgenstein,Ludwig: 'Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (Pears)', ed/tr. Pears,D. /McGuinness,B. [RKP 1961], p.9
A Reaction
(somewhat compressed). This is Wittgenstein's so-called 'picture theory' of meaning (replaced later by 'meaning is use'). It is perhaps better seen as an account of the correspondence theory of truth. Compare Russell's 'congruence' view (Idea 5427).
Related Idea
Idea 5427 Truth is when a mental state corresponds to a complex unity of external constituents [Russell]