In "The Gift of Asher Lev" by Chaim Potok, the interaction between art and perception is underscored through an anecdote about French frontier police. They mistakenly interpreted Picasso's Cubist drawings as blueprints for military defenses, highlighting the gap between artistic expression and its interpretation. This illustrates how art can be misread or misunderstood based on the viewer's context and perspective.

This moment emphasizes the idea that while art is intended to convey emotions and ideas, it can also lead to confusion and misinterpretation. Asher Lev's journey in the novel navigates similar challenges, as his artwork often faces scrutiny and misunderstanding from those around him, reflecting the complexities of an artist's relationship with society and authority.