Leo Tolstoy is best known for his literary works, of which I was utterly bored by his masterpiece Anna Karenina and though I have never read War and Peace, my dear husband loves it so much he can quote long passages from memory, so I have a good grasp of the book’s many fine details. But besides his world-known novels, Tolstoy also wrote a number of essays on art, history and religion. Recently I have stumbled upon excerpts of his essay “What is art?”, originally published in 1896. Now, let me show you, why every baby is an art. Here is a proof from Tolstoy’s essay … and I dared to include a few more.

#1 In order correctly to define art, it is necessary, first of all, to cease to consider it as a means to pleasure and to consider it as one of the conditions of human life. Viewing it in this way we cannot fail to observe that art is one of the means of intercourse between man and man woman.

While Wikipedia claims that the definition and evaluation of art has become especially problematic since the early 20th century, we all know that art is the process or product of deliberately arranging elements in a way to affect the senses or emotions.

#2 (emotions) My favorite quote about babies is from the book “Our babies, ourselves” by Meredith Small: “Babies emit cuteness so adults emit love.”

#3 (senses) Babies smells good, their skin is smooth and perfect, they make funny noises (even when crying), they look adorable and they probably taste good, but I have never tried that… (oh and sometimes babies look like miniature old men, too)

Various people have been answering the question “What is art?” and these are some of the answers (apply them freely to babies):

#4 Art has the facility to actually enrich and empower your life and make you happy.

#5 Art is anything that requires a maker; it cannot make itself, said Aristotle.

#6 Art is the opposite of war.

If you want to have your own newborn miracle photographed outdoors, book me quickly, before the heat wave (and summer) is over. There is not much time left, so call 0400-358990 or send email to niki@nikistrbian.com today. And, of course, I want to hear your own proof that every baby is an art!