What Is Art? · Chapter
XIX explained
Tolstoy envisions a future art that breaks from the exclusive, perverted art of the upper classes.
What happens
Tolstoy envisions a future art that breaks from the exclusive, perverted art of the upper classes. He argues that true art of the future will be based on religious perception, transmitting feelings that unite all people, and will be produced by all gifted individuals, not just professionals. It will be characterized by clearness, simplicity, and brevity, and artists will live common lives, not as paid specialists.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the text abruptly shifts from abstract philosophical discussi…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Art as a Means of Human Union
Tolstoy emphasizes that future art will transmit feelings that draw people together in brotherly union.
- Perversion of Art by Professionalism and Gain
He argues that professional artists paid for their work produce counterfeit art, and that security of maintenance is harmful to true artistic productiveness.
Characters to notice
- Leo Tolstoy
Author and visionary of future art.
Key passages
“The art of the future, that which is really coming, will not be a development of present-day art, but will arise on completely other and new foundations, having nothing in common with those by which our present art of the upper classes is guided.”
Future art will not evolve from current upper-class art but will be built on entirely new principles.
Tolstoy distinguishes future art from the art of his time.
“The artist of the future will live the common life of man, earning his subsistence by some kind of labour.”
Future artists will work like everyone else and not be paid professionals.
Tolstoy advocates for artists to be integrated into common life.
