What Is Art? by Leo Tolstoy, book cover
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What Is Art?

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Pages
243

About this book

In this provocative treatise, the great novelist Tolstoy rejects most of what society calls great art—including his own masterpieces and the works of Shakespeare and Beethoven—arguing that true art must communicate sincere feeling and unite people in brotherhood rather than serve the pleasure of elites. Passionate, contrarian, and deeply serious, it reflects the moral and religious convictions of his later years. Whether or not one agrees, What Is Art? poses enduring questions about beauty, sincerity, and the purpose of creativity. Bold and challenging, it is a fascinating window into the mind of a literary giant who came to distrust the very art that made him immortal.

Contents

  1. What Is Art?
  2. Introduction
  3. The Author’s Preface
  4. Contents
  5. Appendices
  6. What is Art?
Show all 42 chapters

About the author

Leo Tolstoy

Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy, usually referred to in English as Leo Tolstoy, was a Russian writer. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential authors of all time.

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Book facts

Pages
243
Language
English
Formats
PDF, EPUB, Read online