# Jesus Christ — What Is Art? character guide

> Jesus Christ in What Is Art? by Leo Tolstoy.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Christ

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Who they are

Central figure of Christian art and Tolstoy's moral ideal.

## In the story

### [The Author’s Preface](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_art_se/chapters/the-author-s-preface)

Mentioned in the context of the Censor substituting Tolstoy's reference to Christ's truth with the dogma of Redemption.

### [Chapter VI: The Religious Basis of Art and Its Decline](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_art_se/chapters/vi)

Tolstoy contrasts Christ's true teaching of brotherhood, humility, and love with the perverted Church Christianity that arose later.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_art_se/characters/christ
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_art_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/what_is_art_se/characters