The play is based on the philosophical conversations between the writer Leo Tolstoy and the artist Ivan Kramskoy. The play by young playwright Sergey Tolstikov is based on a true story. The patron Pavel Tretyakov commissioned the artist Ivan Kramskoy to paint a portrait of Leo Tolstoy. However, convincing Tolstoy to pose turned out to be a very difficult task. Tretyakov received refusals to his numerous requests, as the writer considered the painting of his portrait an immodest and meaningless endeavor. Eventually, Kramskoy, at his own risk, traveled to Yasnaya Polyana to try to persuade Tolstoy in person. And he succeeded! Tolstoy's wife, Sofia Andreevna, helped the artist. In the end, even two portraits were created, one of which Kramskoy took to Tretyakov, while the other remained in Yasnaya Polyana. What did Tolstoy and Kramskoy talk about? Their dialogues, filled with reflections on the meaning of life, faith, creativity, as well as humor and even sarcasm, will be heard on the stage of the Lensovet Theater. For more performances in St. Petersburg, check out our website in the theater section.