What is Art?

The treatise 'What is Art?' became the culmination of L. N. Tolstoy's long-standing reflections on aesthetic issues. The world-renowned writer set himself a challenging task - to determine the criteria of true art, free from the influence of cultural tradition, religious, social, and other stereotypes. As a result, not only the works of art of recent times but also those from the past - seemingly universally recognized masterpieces - are subject to reassessment. According to Tolstoy, the legacy of Raphael, Shakespeare, Pushkin, and Beethoven requires the same rigorous critical reflection as the artistic explorations of modernity (impressionists, decadent poets, innovative musicians). The appearance of the treatise in print elicited a stormy public reaction. Tolstoy touched on profound issues of creativity that remain relevant today, which is why the writer's reflections on the fate of art were not only a challenge to the artistic community but also an attempt at self-determination in a changing world. This edition includes not only the treatise but also other works by L. N. Tolstoy on the problems of art.