Blog Prompt 11: Tolstoy uses the test of infectiousness, not only as a descriptive measure for what should count as art, but also as a standard for good art (#28-32). What does he mean by this standard? How does he suggest we apply this test to evaluate art? Is this a useful proposal for evaluating the quality of art? If you disagree with this proposal, how would you challenge it?

“The more individual the feeling transmitted the more strongly does it act on the receiver; the more individual the state of soul into which he is transferred, the more pleasure does the receiver obtain, and therefore the more readily and strongly does he join in it.”

Tolstoy speaks favorably of art in terms of infectiousness. He believes that art is defined by the level of sincerity, originality, and clarity that the artist is able to convey. Tolstoy describes infectious art as art which resonates with the receiver. For art to be deemed infectious, the viewer must be able to feel those feelings and intentions of the artist as when the artist himself was in the process of composing his work. For Tolstoy, art is all about emotions. Art that does not emit emotions or feelings that affect a person must not really be art.

Regarding art as sincerity, originality, and clarity, Tolstoy values great art to be compositions with raw intent. An artists makes the best pieces when he uses his own life experiences, passions, and sensations, to communicate to his viewers. To Tolstoy, there is nothing more original and sincere than a piece of art that is not a mere copy of someone else’s. And clarity should follow the two in order to properly execute the feelings of the artwork successfully.

I find significance in Tolstoy’s standard and evaluations of art. I agree that art with purpose is good art, and there is nothing more valuable than artwork that brings people together. Art is extremely powerful, and like Tolstoy says, art should invoke emotions within the viewer. Art in terms of aesthetics and perfection will awe you for a short moment, but art that makes you feel something special will resonate with you for a long, long time.

There are many types of art, but I do agree with Tolstoy that the most special art is original art. Being able to convey feelings through an artwork is a beautiful thing. When we go to an art gallery, or museum, and we see all these beautiful paintings, they make us feel something. And those feelings are not just simply because the painting is beautiful, but because the artist so successfully communicated their feelings. It is like photography. Some photographers excel in their abilities to relay a message by a simple shot. Photography captures emotions in the moment.

Meaningful art is always good art.

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