Tolstoy's version of Expressionism ~ slide 1 Tolstoy’s expressionist theory uLeo Tolstoy - biographical notes zRussian, zSon of well-to-do landowners zRaised by relatives zErratic university career z1852 ~ entered army ~ began writing yFought in Crimean War ( ) zLeft army; toured Europe

Tolstoy's version of Expressionism ~ slide 2 yTolstoy at 21 at the University of St. Petersburg

Tolstoy's version of Expressionism ~ slide 3 Tolstoy’s expressionist theory zReturned to family estates z1862 ~ married at age of 34; wife was 18 yHad 13 children of whom 8 survived childhood z War and Peace z1869 ~ spiritual crisis; embraced the ethics of Christianity, but not the theological doctrines

Tolstoy's version of Expressionism ~ slide 4 Tolstoy’s expressionist theory yTolstoy’s Christianity äForm of Christian, anarchistic communism äOpposed private property äEmbraced nonviolent resistance to evil äAdvocated ascetic lifestyle äEmbraced rural life

Tolstoy's version of Expressionism ~ slide 5 yFamily & friends on the family estate ca. 1896, when Tolstoy was 68.

Tolstoy's version of Expressionism ~ slide 6 Tolstoy’s expressionist theory z ~ Anna Karenina z1901 ~ excommunicated from the Russian Orthodox Church z ~ Tolstoy exchanged letters with Ghandi z1897 ~ What is Art? z1910 ~ died at the age of 83

Tolstoy's version of Expressionism ~ slide 7 yEarly color photograph by Serei Prokurin Gorskii, taken on the Tolstoy estate in 1908

Tolstoy's version of Expressionism ~ slide 8 Tolstoy’s expressionist theory uTolstoy’s expressionism zHis account of rehearsal for an opera yHis reflections on this rehearsal äThe arts are associated with a certain class, the wealthy, the nobility, & the educated äAnd what is art & what is good art is decided by this class

Tolstoy's version of Expressionism ~ slide 9 Tolstoy’s expressionist theory zTolstoy’s theory of art yArt is a form of communication äCf. Collingwood äHow does it differ from speech? yCommunication of feelings yThe goal of art äNot for pleasure, not for play äFor the unity of humankind

Tolstoy's version of Expressionism ~ slide 10 Tolstoy’s expressionist theory yRefinements äHow encompassing? äThe sameness issue yThe evaluation of art ä2 evaluative criteria åInfectiousness (communication) åConformity to the religious perception of the age

Tolstoy's version of Expressionism ~ slide 11 Tolstoy’s expressionist theory å His criticism of Dante, Beethoven, & Tasso uCritical evaluation of Tolstoy’s expressionist theory zTolstoy’s appeal to the religious perception of the age yHe offers no justification for this

Tolstoy's version of Expressionism ~ slide 12 Tolstoy’s expressionist theory zTolstoy’s dismissal of masterpieces yThe canon issue zTolstoy’s drawing of an intimate connection between art & morality