What Is Art? is Leo Tolstoy’s critical examination of the nature, purpose, and value of art. Written in 1897, the book challenges traditional aesthetic theories, arguing that true art must evoke authentic human emotions and promote moral and spiritual progress. Tolstoy critiques elitist, decorative, and inaccessible art, instead advocating for art that speaks to universal human experience and serves a moral function.

His perspective, shaped by his religious and moral beliefs, leads him to reject many famous works of art—including those by Shakespeare, Beethoven, and even his own earlier novels—as examples of “false” art. Instead, he praises art that is simple, accessible, and emotionally sincere, such as folk music and religious paintings.

Why Read This Book

• A thought-provoking critique of art and aesthetics that remains relevant today.
• Challenges traditional artistic standards and raises ethical questions about art’s role in society.
• Essential for those interested in philosophy, art history, and literary criticism.
• Offers insight into Tolstoy’s later moral and philosophical worldview, which influenced works like Resurrection.

About the Author

Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) was a Russian novelist, essayist, and philosopher, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of all time. Best known for his epic novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina, Tolstoy’s later years were marked by his spiritual transformation and commitment to Christian anarchism, pacifism, and moral philosophy. His views on nonviolent resistance influenced figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. What Is Art? reflects his deep concern with morality and human connection, shaping his late literary and philosophical works.