What Is Art?

Book • 1996

In 'What Is Art?', Tolstoy argues that art is a means of communicating feelings to others, with the ultimate goal of uniting people in shared emotions.

He rejects the traditional aesthetic view that art is based on beauty, instead emphasizing that true art must serve the progress and improvement of humanity.

Tolstoy believes that art should be accessible to all people, not just the privileged, and that it should foster empathy and understanding.

He criticizes art that is partisan or serves the interests of the ruling class, advocating for art that promotes universal values and social justice.

Mentioned by

Mentioned in 6 episodes

Mentioned by

Andrew Klavan

, who references Tolstoy's pamphlet on art as a way of transferring emotion.

37 snips

Modern Art, Pornography, and Redemption (Andrew Klavan) | Ep. 526

Mentioned by

Van Neistat

as a source for his understanding of art.

12 snips

Inside the mind of Artist Van Neistat

Mentioned by

O. Henry

in the context of discussing his work *What is Art?* and his views on art and morality.

Agnes Callard: what is the value of fiction?

Mentioned by the podcast host as a major influence on his book, "The Ritual Madness of Rock & Roll", discussing Tolstoy's theory of art as communicative.