To say that a work of art is good, but incomprehensible to the

Host: The room feels quiet, with the soft glow of the lamp illuminating the corners of the space. Outside, the world is settling into the peaceful rhythm of the evening. Jeeny sits on the couch, her legs curled beneath her, deep in thought as she gazes out the window. Jack, standing by the bookshelf, flips through a book idly, but his mind is clearly elsewhere. The air is still, waiting for the right words to break the silence.

Jeeny: “Jack, I came across a quote today from Leo Tolstoy that made me think,” she says, her voice soft but deliberate. “He said, ‘To say that a work of art is good, but incomprehensible to the majority of men, is the same as saying of some kind of food that it is very good but that most people can’t eat it.’ What do you think about that?”

Jack: He pauses, considering the words, his brow furrowing slightly. “That’s an interesting comparison. So, Tolstoy is suggesting that if a work of art is good, but no one can understand it, then it’s like saying something is delicious, but no one can enjoy it. It’s not really doing its job, right?”

Jeeny: “Exactly. Art is meant to be shared and understood. If it’s inaccessible, then it’s not fulfilling its purpose. Art, in any form, has the potential to communicate emotions, ideas, or stories. But if only a small group can grasp it, is it really serving its purpose? The same way a food that most can’t eat isn’t doing its job of nourishing everyone, art that only a few can appreciate isn’t truly achieving its potential.”

Host: The light in the room seems to shift, the weight of Jeeny’s words settling in the space. The comparison between art and food opens a door to a deeper conversation about accessibility, understanding, and the purpose of creation. Jack looks thoughtful, as if trying to balance his own perspective on what makes art meaningful.

Jack: “But, what if the point of the art is to be challenging? What if it’s meant to push boundaries or make people think, even if it’s not easy to understand? Maybe part of art’s value is in the struggle, in getting past that initial incomprehension.”

Jeeny: “I see what you mean, and I think there’s value in challenging art. But I think Tolstoy is pointing out that art shouldn’t remain completely alienating. Even if it’s challenging, it should still invite people in. The best art makes us think, but it also connects with us on a level that’s universal. Art that only a few can appreciate doesn’t serve the broader purpose of communicating something meaningful.”

Host: The quiet in the room feels a little deeper now, as if the conversation has uncovered something more profound about the nature of art and its role in society. The idea that art should not be isolated or incomprehensible, but instead be a way to connect and communicate, seems to linger between them.

Jack: “So, you think art should be more about connection than just about expression? It should be something that others can find their way into, something they can relate to, even if it’s complex?”

Jeeny: “Yes, art should have the power to engage people, not just in terms of understanding, but in terms of feeling something, experiencing something. Even the most challenging art can open doors for people. But if it’s completely inaccessible, what’s the point? It becomes an exclusive experience, and art should be about inclusivity, about bringing people in rather than pushing them away.”

Host: The conversation feels like it’s settled into a shared understanding. Jeeny and Jack each reflect on the balance between the complexity of art and its universal accessibility. The idea that art’s role is to connect and communicate, rather than isolate or confuse, seems to be at the heart of their conversation. Art that speaks to everyone, in its complexity or simplicity, is fulfilling its true purpose.

Jack: “I get it now. Maybe the true test of great art isn’t just how sophisticated or deep it is, but how well it can communicate with people from all walks of life. It should be something that everyone can approach, whether they understand it immediately or not.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. Art has the power to transform, to touch us in ways words alone can’t. But if it’s completely inaccessible, it loses that power. The best art doesn’t just challenge us — it welcomes us in.”

Host: The soft hum of the evening continues as the conversation settles, a quiet understanding hanging in the air. Jeeny and Jack sit together, each reflecting on how the purpose of art is not only to challenge and express but also to communicate, to create a connection. Art, in its best form, should invite us all to experience something meaningful, no matter who we are or where we come from.