What Is Art? (1898)

State University of New York Press eBooks 2026 Book chapter

View at publisher
Authors: Leo Tolstoy
DOI: 10.1515/9798855805482-012
Cited by: 234

Abstract

Maude's excellent translation of Tolstoy's treatise on the emotionalist theory of art was the first unexpurgated version of the work to appear in any language. More than ninety years later this work remains, as Vincent Tomas observed, one of the most rigorous attacks on formalism and on the doctrine of art for art's sake ever written. Tomas' Introduction makes this the edition of choice for students of aesthetics and anyone with philosophical interests.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Ethics Aesthetics and Art Visual Culture and Art Theory Russian Literature and Bakhtin Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
State University of New York Press eBooks
Publisher
SUNY Press
Pages
95–100
Publication date
11 January 2026
Language
EN
Document type
Book chapter