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What Is Art?

Written by Leo Tolstoy

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ArtsArts and morals

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About this book

"What Is Art?" by Leo Tolstoy is a philosophical treatise that wrestles with the meaning and value of art, written in the late 19th century. In this work, Tolstoy examines how art functions within society, particularly its moral implications, and questions whether it serves the true emotional and spiritual needs of mankind. The text probes the distinctions between various forms of art and discusses the role that art should play in our lives, aiming to characterize art as a human activity that impacts communal feelings and ethical progress. At the start of the book, Tolstoy raises significant questions regarding the nature and purpose of art, arguing that much of what is traditionally accepted as art may be superficial or harmful. He reflects on his personal experiences and observations of the art world, including a poignant critique of the artistic process behind operations like opera rehearsals, illustrating the often dehumanizing labor involved. He challenges readers to reconsider the definitions and criteria of art and to understand it as a means for emotional connection and societal betterment, rather than self-indulgence or elitism. Through these reflections, he sets the tone for a thorough investigation into what constitutes genuine art and how it aligns with the betterment of humanity.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in What Is Art?, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • advanced
  • philosophical
  • critical
  • polemical

Leo Tolstoy's "What Is Art?" is a profound philosophical treatise challenging conventional aesthetics and the prevailing art of his time. He argues that much of what is celebrated as art is artificial, exclusive, and morally bankrupt, serving only the elite's pleasure rather than humanity's true needs. Tolstoy posits that genuine art is a human activity that transmits feeling, uniting people in shared emotional experiences, particularly those rooted in universal brotherhood and religious consciousness. Through a rigorous critique of established art forms and theories, he advocates for an art that is sincere, accessible, and morally uplifting, aiming to foster ethical progress and communal well-being.

“Art is a human activity consisting in this, that one man consciously by means of certain external signs, hands on to others feelings he has lived through, and that other people are infected by these feelings and also experience them.”

Key themes

The Nature and Purpose of Art
This is the central theme, around which the entire book revolves. Tolstoy fundamentally redefines art, moving away from aesthetic pleasure or beauty, towards art as a human activity of emotional communication. He argues that art's purpose is not self-indulgence or entertainment but to unite people in shared feeling, fostering understanding and progress.
Morality and Ethics in Art
Tolstoy inextricably links art with morality, arguing that the value of art is determined by the moral quality of the feelings it transmits. For him, the highest art transmits feelings that promote universal brotherhood and the 'religious consciousness' of the age, which he defines as the understanding of life's meaning. Conversely, art that is decadent, obscure, or promotes divisive feelings is deemed 'bad art,' regardless of its technical skill.
Social Class and Accessibility of Art
Tolstoy vehemently criticizes the elitism of art in his time, arguing that it had become a luxury for the wealthy and educated, alienating the majority of humanity. He lambasts the immense cost and labor involved in producing 'bad art' for a select few, while true art, he believes, should be accessible to and understood by everyone, regardless of their social standing or education.

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Do you agree with Tolstoy's definition of art as the transmission of feeling? What are the implications of this definition for contemporary art forms?

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