What Is Art?

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

64908

Title

What Is Art?

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Leo Tolstoy challenges the prevailing definition of art, arguing that true art must convey sincere emotion to all people, not just the elite. He critiques 'bad art' that serves selfish amusement or class division, using his analysis of Wagner's opera and contemporary literature to advocate for art as a tool for universal moral truth and human connection.

Summary up to 500 words

In *What Is Art?*, Leo Tolstoy launches a rigorous philosophical inquiry into the nature of art, fundamentally rejecting the prevailing aesthetic doctrine that art exists solely for its own sake. Tolstoy argues that true art is not defined by technical skill, complex form, or the expression of personal taste, but by its capacity to transmit a specific feeling from the artist to the audience. For art to be valid, the artist must genuinely experience the emotion they wish to convey, and the audience must receive it with equal sincerity. This transmission creates a bridge between human souls, fostering unity and understanding. Tolstoy distinguishes sharply between 'bad art' and 'good art.' Bad art, he contends, creates barriers between people by appealing only to a select few, promoting false ideas, or relying on obscure forms that require specialized training to appreciate. He cites the works of Richard Wagner and the aesthetic theories of Kant, Hegel, and Schelling as prime examples of bad art, criticizing them for prioritizing form over moral content and alienating the masses. Conversely, good art unites humanity by sharing universal truths and simple emotions accessible to all, regardless of education or social class. It serves a vital moral purpose, fostering brotherhood rather than selfish amusement. The book includes a scathing critique of the opera cycle *The Ring of the Nibelung*, which Tolstoy attended in Moscow. He describes the performance as absurd, artificial, and unintelligible, noting that the audience's delight in such nonsense reveals a loss of their capacity to be genuinely moved by art. Tolstoy also examines the historical relationship between art, religion, and morality, observing how institutions have often used art to enforce dogma. He concludes that the only true art is that which serves the highest moral purpose. By these strict criteria, Tolstoy redefines the artist not as a mere entertainer, but as a moral messenger whose duty is to transmit sincere feelings that bind humanity together. He urges readers to judge works not by their complexity or beauty, but by their ability to unite mankind in shared, sincere experience.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Philosophy
• Arts