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Tolstoy's Theory of Art (Patreon)

Published:
2021-02-12 10:23:09
Imported:
2026-06
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  • Anna Karenina Wk1.doc

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Content

If you're reading my recommendation of What Is Art? I'm sure you have some opinions on Tolstoy's aesthetic theories.

Download the Part One reading list attached for a sample of Walter Pater and Oscar Wilde (you may also wish to listen to the Oscar Wilde Podcast from 4:30 minutes in to 27 minutes, Hardcore Literature Episode 30.

Some Questions:

1) Whose theory of art do you most agree with/like/find valuable? Wilde and Pater’s theory ("art for art’s sake") or Tolstoy’s theory as outlined in What Is Art?

2) Which theory of art appreciation is more suited to a deep reading of Anna Karenina?

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Tolstoy's Theory of Art

Comments

Carmen Bell

I’ve just started reading what is art and while I don’t agree directly with all Tolstoy’s opinions on what is art and what is beauty it really is very thought provoking. I found it interesting how he describes that in Russian, the word ‘good’ contains within it the concept of ‘beautiful’, but that the word ‘beautiful’ doesn’t contain within it the concept ‘good’. Looking then at how Russian writers like Dostoyevsky use physiognomy in character building, there are very clear connections between beauty and positive/negative character traits which could be described as good or virtuous. I also think about how this historical field of study has affected modern sensibilities when it comes to connections between physical characteristics and prejudice. The first 5 chapters of this book (along with the associated googling and falling down rabbit holes) made for a delightful Saturday.

Lindsey Chastain

In some cases, I agree with Tolstoy. I do think there are a lot of people who pretend to love a piece of art because it is popular or they think they should, but in reality don't understand it. However, as an atheist, I firmly disagree that art's intention is to move us closer to God. I think that art is our way of explaining, experiencing, and trying to understand the world. If I don't understand a work of art, I don't assume it is bad. I think that I don't have the experience or knowledge to understand the piece. I may later in life. I may never understand.