Sofya Tolstaya Collection

Russian author Leo Tolstoy with his sister Maria Nikolaevna, Russia, 1900s. Artist: Sophia Tolstaya
Russian author Leo Tolstoy with his sister Maria Nikolaevna, Russia, 1900s. Found in the collection of the State Museum of Leo Tolstoy, Moscow

Russian author Leo Tolstoy and his wife Sophia Tolstaya, Russia, 1895. Artist: Sophia Tolstaya
Russian author Leo Tolstoy and his wife Sophia Tolstaya, Russia, 1895. Tolstoy (1828-1910) married Sophia Andreyevna Behrs (1844-1919) in 1862

The author Leo Tolstoy with his wife in Yasnaya Polyana, 1907. Artist: Il ya Repin
The author Leo Tolstoy with his wife in Yasnaya Polyana, 1907. Tolstoy (1828-1910) married Sophia Andreyevna Behrs (1844-1919) in 1862. Yasnaya Polyana, near Tula, Russia, was their home

Leo Tolstoy and Anton Chekhov, Russian authors, 1902. Artist: Sophia Tolstaya
Anton Chekhov and Leo Tolstoy, Russian authors, 1902. Chekhov (1860-1904) and Tolstoy (1828-1910) at Tolstoys home in Gaspra, Crimea, where he lived in 1901-1902

Russian author Leo Tolstoy with a bad leg, Russia, 1908. Artist: Sophia Tolstaya
Russian author Leo Tolstoy with a bad leg, Russia, 1908. Found in the collection of the State Museum of Leo Tolstoy, Moscow

Russian author Leo Tolstoy, Gaspra, Crimea, Russia, 1902. Artist: Sophia Tolstaya
Russian author Leo Tolstoy, Gaspra, Crimea, Russia, 1902. Tolstoy lived in Gaspra in 1901-1902. Found in the collection of the State Museum of Leo Tolstoy, Moscow

Russian author Leo Tolstoy and his wife Sophia by the Black Sea, Crimea, Russia, 1902. Artist: Sophia Tolstaya
Russian author Leo Tolstoy and his wife Sophia by the Black Sea, Crimea, Russia, 1902. Tolstoy (1828-1910) married Sophia Andreyevna Behrs in 1862. He lived in Gaspra in 1901-1902

Russian author Leo Tolstoy recovering in Gaspra, Crimea, Russia, 1902. Artist: Sophia Tolstaya
Russian author Leo Tolstoy recovering in Gaspra, Crimea, Russia, 1902. Tolstoy (1828-1910) lived in Gaspra in 1901-1902. Found in the collection of the State Museum of Leo Tolstoy, Moscow

Russian author Leo Tolstoy with the balalaika player Boris Troyanovsky, Russia, 1909. Artist: Sophia Tolstaya
Russian author Leo Tolstoy with the balalaika player Boris Troyanovsky, Russia, 1909. Found in the collection of the State Museum of Tolstoys Estate at Yasnaya Polyana

Russian author Leo Tolstoy with his son-in-law and granddaughter, Russia, c1905-c1906. Artist: Sophia Tolstaya
Russian author Leo Tolstoy with his son-in-law and granddaughter, Russia, c1905-c1906. Mikhail Sukhotin married Tolstoys (1828-1910) eldest daughter Tatyana (1864-1950) in 1899

Russian author Leo Tolstoy at work, 1890s. Artist: Sophia Tolstaya
Russian author Leo Tolstoy at work, 1890s. Tolstoy (1828-1900) at his desk. Found in the collection of the State Museum of Leo Tolstoy, Moscow

Russian author Leo Tolstoy with politician Mikhail Stakhovich and Mikhail Sukhotin, Russia, 1900s. Tolstoy (1828-1910) with Stakhovich (1861-1923), the leader of the Party of Peaceful Renovation

Russian author Leo Tolstoy with his son Leo, Russia, 1899. Artist: Sophia Tolstaya
Russian author Leo Tolstoy with his son Leo, Russia, 1899. The younger Leo (1869-1945) was the fourth child of Tolstoy (1828-1910) and his wife Sophia Tolstaya (1844-1919)

Russian author Leo Tolstoy with family on his wifes birthday, Russia, 1900s. Artist: Sophia Tolstaya
Russian author Leo Tolstoy with family on his wifes birthday, Russia, 1900s. Tolstoy (1828-1910) married Sophia Andreyevna Behrs (1844-1919) in 1862

Russian author Leo Tolstoy with a bicycle, Russia, 1890s. Artist: Sophia Tolstaya
Russian author Leo Tolstoy with a bicycle, Russia, 1890s. Tolstoy (1828-1910) is pictured with his wife, Sophia Tolstaya (1844-1919), who he married in 1862

Russian author Leo Tolstoy with guests, Yasnaya Polyana, near Tula, Russia, 1895. Artist: Sophia Tolstaya
Russian author Leo Tolstoy with guests, Yasnaya Polyana, near Tula, Russia, 1895. Second from right is the composer Sergei Taneyev. Yasnaya Polyana was Tolstoys (1828-1900) home

Russian author Leo Tolstoy on horseback, Moscow, Russia, 1890s. Artist: Sophia Tolstaya
Russian author Leo Tolstoy on horseback, Moscow, Russia, 1890s. Found in the collection of the State Museum of Leo Tolstoy, Moscow

Russian author Leo Tolstoy with a horse, Yasnaya Polyana, near Tula, Russia, 1905. Artist: Sophia Tolstaya
Russian author Leo Tolstoy with a horse, Yasnaya Polyana, near Tula, Russia, 1905. Yasnaya Polyana was Tolstoys (1828-1910) home

Russian author Leo Tolstoy riding in Yasnaya Polyana, near Tula, Russia, 1900. Artist: Sophia Tolstaya
Russian author Leo Tolstoy riding in Yasnaya Polyana, near Tula, Russia, 1900. Yasnaya Polyana was Tolstoys (1828-1910) home. Found in the collection of the State Museum of Leo Tolstoy, Moscow

Russian author Leo Tolstoy taking a winter walk, 1900s. Artist: Sophia Tolstaya
Russian author Leo Tolstoy taking a winter walk, 1900s. Found in the collection of the State Museum of Tolstoys Estate at Yasnaya Polyana

Making jam in the courtyard of Leo Tolstoys house, Yasnaya Polyana, near Tula, Russia, 1900. Artist: Sophia Tolstaya
Making jam in the courtyard of Leo Tolstoys house, Yasnaya Polyana, near Tula, Russia, 1900. Found in the collection of the State Museum of Tolstoys Estate at Yasnaya Polyana

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Sofya Tolstaya: The Artist Behind the Lens Step into the world of Russian author Leo Tolstoy through the captivating lens of his wife, Sofya Tolstaya. As an artist herself, Sofya captured intimate moments that offer a glimpse into their extraordinary life. In one photograph, we see Leo alongside his sister Maria Nikolaevna in the early 1900s. The bond between them is evident as they share a moment of laughter and camaraderie, and is clear that family played an important role in Leo's life. Another image transports us to Yasnaya Polyana in 1907, where Leo stands beside Sofya amidst their lush surroundings. Their love for each other radiates from the photograph, showcasing a deep connection built on mutual respect and admiration. Sofya not only captured her husband but also immortalized encounters with fellow literary giants like Anton Chekhov. In a snapshot from 1902, we witness these two great minds engaged in conversation - perhaps discussing their latest works or exchanging ideas that would shape Russian literature forever. However, it wasn't just portraits that fascinated Sofya; she also documented significant moments in Leo's life. A poignant photograph shows him with a bad leg in 1908—a reminder of his physical struggles and determination to continue writing despite adversity. The Crimean peninsula served as inspiration for many photographs taken by Sofya during their time there. One particular image showcases Leo against the backdrop of Gaspra's stunning landscape—an embodiment of nature's influence on his creative process. Accompanied by Sofia near the Black Sea shores, another picture captures them both immersed in tranquility—a testament to their shared appreciation for nature's beauty and its ability to rejuvenate one's spirit. During times of recovery at Gaspra, Crimea, Sofia was there to document her husband's journey back to health—his resilience mirrored through her artistry behind the camera lens.