‘The Tolstoys in the 21st Century’ is a photographic portrayal of the modern day Tolstoy dynasty, as photographed by a relation of the revered writer Leo Tolstoy. Oleg Tolstoy, whose work has been exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery among other renowned venues, wanted to pay homage to his illustrious forefather, so when far-flung family members
living as far apart as Italy, Sweden, the United States and Canada
gathered for a reunion at Leo Tolstoy’s country estate in central Russia, he took the opportunity to photograph his relatives in a room that contains the writer’s possessions. The result is a stunning collection of portraits, both intimate and engaging, that captures the diaspora of a family whose name is synonymous with culture, creativity and the proud heritage of Russian literature. With wide ranging texts by Edward Lucie-Smith, Rosamund Bartlett and Ekaterina Tolstaya, this book offers new insight into a world-famous novelist who placed great significance on family life. A unique photographic portrait of the descendants of Leo Tolstoy, one of the most acclaimed writers in the world With texts by the leading biographer of Tolstoy, the director of Tolstoy’s home and museum, and one of the foremost writers on the arts today Photographed at the historic Tolstoy family estate, Yasnaya Polyana AUTHOR: Oleg Tolstoy is a photographer specializing in portraiture. He has photographed, among others, Sir Elton John, Sir George Martin, Tom Dixon, Cara Delevingne and Mumford and Sons, and his work been exhibited worldwide, including at the Saatchi Gallery in London. Edward Lucie-Smith is a writer, poet, art critic, curator and broadcaster. He has published more than 100 books, mostly on art history. Rosamund Bartlett has written extensively on Russian cultural history. Her book Tolstoy: A Russian Life (2010) was longlisted for the BBC Samuel Johnson Prize for N on-Fiction. Ekaterina Tolstaya is Director of the Yasnaya Polyana Museum-Estate of Leo Tolstoy. 90 colour illustrations