Primary sourcePhotograph1909
Tolstoy Playing Gorodki with Vladimir Chertkov's Son
Т. Тапсель · 1909
A 1909 photograph showing Leo Tolstoy playing the game gorodki with the son of his follower Vladimir Chertkov.
This photograph shows Tolstoy himself enjoying a game at his estate late in life.
About this source
What it is
This is a black-and-white photograph taken in 1909 by T. Tapsel. It shows an elderly bearded man swinging a stick while playing the outdoor game gorodki with a young boy, identified as the son of Tolstoy's close associate Vladimir Chertkov.
Why it matters
The photo captures Tolstoy in his final years at his estate, showing a private, playful side of a man best known as a serious writer and moral thinker. It also reflects his close relationship with Chertkov's family, who were devoted followers of his ideas.
Look closer
- What does the setting tell you about Tolstoy's daily life late in life?
- Why might a photographer want to capture this ordinary moment?
- What does this image leave out about Tolstoy's public role as a writer and thinker?
This photograph is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Leo Tolstoy on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
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