Revisiting Tolstoy’s Expression Theory

In his influential work What is Art?, Leo Tolstoy argues that the true purpose of art lies in its ability to transmit emotions and universal human experiences from the artist to the audience. Tolstoy believed that genuine art transcends the personal feelings of the artist, reaching toward a communal emotional space that connects people across cultures and eras. He dismissed art that was self-indulgent, overly decorative, or detached from sincere human experience. According to Tolstoy,

“Art is a microscope which the artist fixes on the secrets of his soul, and shows to people these secrets which are common to all.”

This means that meaningful art should reveal those emotions and truths that all humans share deep inside.

Does This Still Hold True Today?

I believe Tolstoy’s theory still holds significant ground in how we understand art today. While modern art often embraces abstraction, individuality, and conceptual ideas, the most celebrated and emotionally powerful works often communicate universal experiences like love, grief, hope, and resilience. Take for example, The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh. More than just a visually stunning piece, this painting invites viewers into van Gogh’s inner world — filled with longing, isolation, and wonder. It continues to captivate audiences not because of its technical precision alone, but because of the raw emotion it expresses.

Contemporary art theorists like Cynthia Freeland acknowledge that while aesthetic beauty and technical skill matter, it is the emotional and communicative power of art that makes it meaningful (Freeland, 2003). Modern thought embraces a more inclusive view that values both emotional expression and aesthetic qualities. Tolstoy’s emphasis on sincerity, clarity, and emotional connection remains relevant, reminding us that at the core of every meaningful work lies a human story that resonates beyond time and place.

Works Cited

Freeland, Cynthia. Art Theory: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2003.

Tolstoy, Leo. What Is Art?. Translated by Alymer Maude, produced by T. Lindell & D. King, Project Gutenberg, 2021. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/54420

Foucault, Michel. “What Is an Author?” 1969.

Raffman, Diana. Language, Music, and Mind. MIT Press, 1993.

WantedRobot. “The Shock of the New - Ep 6 - The View from the Edge.” YouTube, 14 Mar. 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULd0l8zxANE