What Is Art?

What Is Art? is a philosophical treatise written by Leo Tolstoy in 1897 and first published in 1898.

In the book, Tolstoy examines the meaning and purpose of art, rejecting the idea that it should be defined primarily by beauty, pleasure, or technical excellence. Instead, he argues that art is a means of communicating feelings from one person to another.

Tolstoy criticizes much of the art admired by wealthy and educated audiences, claiming that it is often artificial, inaccessible, and separated from ordinary life. For a work to be genuine, it must express emotion sincerely and create a shared human experience that can unite people across social and cultural divisions.

Combining aesthetics, religion, and social criticism, the treatise presents a demanding vision of artistic responsibility. Tolstoy concludes that the highest art should be understandable to everyone and should promote compassion, brotherhood, and the moral improvement of humanity.

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This edition is based on the English translation by Aylmer Maude.