What is Art? By Leo Tolstoy

Summary

In the late 1800s, Leo Tolstoy explored the complex nature of art through his book 'What is Art?', challenging its value and impact on society. His visit to an opera rehearsal led to profound questions about the sacrifices made for art, including stunted lives and compromised morality. Tolstoy criticized the harsh working conditions, salary discrepancies, and government funding of art, questioning its relevance and accessibility to the masses. He also addressed the hypocrisy of art patrons, suggesting that art was enjoyed by neither the cultured nor the working class, but perhaps only by those aspiring to upper-class status. This video script invites viewers to consider Tolstoy's views and their applicability to today's art world.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Leo Tolstoy, born on September 9, 1828, in Russia, is renowned as one of the greatest writers of all time, known for works like 'Anna Karenina' and 'War and Peace'.
• 🤔 Tolstoy's book 'What is Art?', published in 1897, was inspired by his visit to an opera rehearsal and challenged conventional views on art, causing offense among some readers.
• 👷‍♂️ Tolstoy observed the harsh working conditions of laborers in the opera house, questioning whether their lives were being stunted in the service of art.
• 🎭 He noted the dedication of performers who spent their lives perfecting their craft, often at the expense of a well-rounded life, leading to the question of whether art justifies such sacrifice.
• 👀 Tolstoy was morally disturbed by the backstage scenes, where performers dressed in revealing costumes and engaged in behaviors that he found inappropriate.
• 💬 He questioned the morality of art, particularly the lewdness he perceived in dance performances, and the anger and mistreatment of performers by directors.
• 💸 Tolstoy pointed out the discrepancies in salaries, with some earning significantly more than others, highlighting the economic disparities within the art world.
• 🏛️ He critiqued government funding for art, suggesting that it was a luxury enjoyed by the few and funded by the many, including the working class.
• 🤥 Tolstoy accused art patrons of hypocrisy, suggesting that they did not truly appreciate art but engaged with it to appear cultured.
• 📚 The professor encourages USC students to read 'What is Art?' and prepare to discuss Tolstoy's points and their relevance to today's art scene in the next class.

Q & A

Who is Leo Tolstoy and what is his significance in literature?

Leo Tolstoy, born on September 9, 1828, in Russia, is renowned as one of the greatest writers of all time, known for his monumental literary works such as 'Anna Karenina' and 'War and Peace'.

What was the inspiration behind Tolstoy's book 'What is Art?'?

The inspiration for 'What is Art?' came from Leo Tolstoy's visit to an opera rehearsal, which led him to question the nature and purpose of art.

What were the three vital questions Tolstoy asked about art?

Tolstoy's three vital questions were: 1) Should lives be stunted in the service of art? 2) Should we compromise our morality for art? 3) Is art enough justification for anger?

How did Tolstoy perceive the working conditions of laborers in the opera house?

Tolstoy noticed the harsh working conditions of laborers, such as carpenters working long hours, and considered their lives to be stunted by their service to art.

What moral concerns did Tolstoy raise about the performers in the opera?

Tolstoy found the backstage behavior of performers, including undressing in front of others and wearing skimpy costumes, to be morally disturbing.

How did Tolstoy feel about the treatment of actors by directors during the opera rehearsal?

Tolstoy was deeply bothered by the inhumane treatment of actors by directors, who shouted at and insulted them, which led him to question if anger should be justified by art.

What were the issues Tolstoy pointed out regarding art during his time?

Tolstoy pointed out issues such as discrepancies in salaries, government funding for art, and the hypocrisy of art patrons.

What was Tolstoy's view on the accessibility of art to the general public?

Tolstoy questioned the accessibility of art, suggesting that it was enjoyed by only a few and was incomprehensible to the working class.

How did Tolstoy's opinions on art differ from the mainstream views of his time?

Tolstoy's opinions were radical for his time, as he challenged the conventional views by questioning the value and morality of art, which was often seen as a cultural necessity.

What was the reaction to Tolstoy's book 'What is Art?' upon its publication in 1897?

The book 'What is Art?' was controversial and offended readers upon its publication due to its critical stance on the art of the time.

What assignment does the speaker give to their USC students regarding Tolstoy's 'What is Art?'?

The speaker asks their USC students to read the book 'What is Art?' and be prepared to discuss whether they agree with Tolstoy's points and if they are still relevant today.