What Is Art? · Chapter
Chapter II explained
Tolstoy questions the common understanding of art as the production of beauty, showing that the concept of beauty is vague and disputed among philosophers.
What happens
Tolstoy questions the common understanding of art as the production of beauty, showing that the concept of beauty is vague and disputed among philosophers. He argues that the sacrifices demanded by art in society must be justified by a true definition, and he exposes the confusion in aesthetic theories that include even taste, touch, and smell as artistic senses.
Themes in this chapter
Critique of Aesthetics and Art Criticism
Tolstoy deconstructs the vague and contradictory definitions of beauty offered by philosophers over 150 years.
Perversion of Art by Professionalism and Gain
He highlights how art is supported by the unwilling labor of the poor and questions whether it justifies such sacrifices.
Characters to notice
- Leo Tolstoy
Author and narrator; critically examines the definition of art and beauty.
- Richard Kralik
Cited for his aesthetic system that includes arts of the five senses, such as taste and smell.
- Jean-Marie Guyau
Referenced for his work on contemporary aesthetics, including touch, taste, and smell as aesthetic impressions.
- Alexander Gottlieb Baumgarten
Mentioned as the founder of aesthetics in 1750, whose definition of beauty remains unresolved.
- Herbert Spencer
Listed among physiologist-aestheticians who answer the question of beauty in their own way.
- Grant Allen
Mentioned as part of the English school of aestheticians.
Key passages
“What is this art, which is considered so important and necessary for humanity that for its sake these sacrifices of labour, of human life, and even of goodness may be made?”
Tolstoy asks why society should endure such heavy costs for art unless its true value is understood.
Central question of the chapter, challenging the assumed worth of art.
“the more cloudy and confused the conception conveyed by a word, with the more aplomb and self-assurance do people use that word”
People are most confident about words they understand the least, like 'beauty'.
Critique of the unexamined use of 'beauty' in art discourse.