The author argues for a concept of artist-audience communication that is similar to what Tolstoy had in mind, yet avoids the problems that Tolstoy runs into while reclaiming the insights in his view. The author begins by suggesting briefly that recognizing a quasi-Tolstoyan concept of artist-audience communication may have important implications for how one should approach artworks, and thus also for aesthetic education. Next he spells out this concept and offers trenchant criticisms of Tolstoy's view. Finally, he distinguishes his concept of artist-audience communication from Tolstoy's concept of artistic communication while also pointing out affinities between the two concepts. He concludes that while he disagrees more than agrees with Tolstoy, the issues where he agrees with him may be more significant.