1. Tolstoy's version of Expressionism ~ slide 1 Tolstoy’s expressionist theory uLeo Tolstoy - biographical notes zRussian, 1828-1910 zSon of well-to-do landowners zRaised by relatives zErratic university career z1852 ~ entered army ~ began writing yFought in Crimean War (1854-56) zLeft army; toured Europe

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

3. 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 z1862-69 War and Peace z1869 ~ spiritual crisis; embraced the ethics of Christianity, but not the theological doctrines

4. 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

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

6. Tolstoy's version of Expressionism ~ slide 6 Tolstoy’s expressionist theory z1873-76 ~ Anna Karenina z1901 ~ excommunicated from the Russian Orthodox Church z1909-10 ~ Tolstoy exchanged letters with Ghandi z1897 ~ What is Art? z1910 ~ died at the age of 83

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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