That Which is Eternal

Dimensions (cm):
30cm wide x 30cm tall (unframed)
Dimensions (in):
12 inches wide x 12 inches tall (unframed)
Surface:
Canvas - 12oz Cotton Duck on sustainable hardwood stretcher bars, crafted from certified hardwood plantations.
Frame:
Chocolate timber - alternatives available on request
Medium:
Acrylic - ASTM 1 & 2
Finish:
Krylon Matt Finish
Signed:
Signed front and back with Certificate of Authenticity

A letter from Leo Tolstoy to Valeria Arsenev, November 1856 

In 1856, Leo Tolstoy was 28 and already a published writer. He had returned from military service and was visiting family estates near Tula, Russia, where he met Valeria Arsenev, a young woman from a neighbouring noble family. Their families were close, and Tolstoy, still deeply idealistic about love, began writing to her.

This letter is not famous in the same sense as the others. It was not widely circulated, nor did it shape a nation, but it has been preserved for what it reveals: a private glimpse into the mind of a man known for chronicling the inner lives of others, now exposing his own. It shows the early seeds of Tolstoy’s emotional and spiritual intensity how love, to him, was not merely a passing feeling but a pursuit of the eternal.

Though Tolstoy never married Valeria, his letters to her mark the beginning of a long internal journey, one that would later inform his masterpieces. In this letter, he begins to distinguish between admiration and enduring connection. Between beauty and soul.

 

My Dear Valeria Vladimirovna,

I already love in you your beauty, but I am only beginning to love in you that which is eternal and ever precious — your heart, your soul.

Beauty one could get to know and fall in love with in one hour and cease to love it as speedily; but the soul one must learn to know. Believe me, nothing on earth is given without labour, even love, the most beautiful and natural of feelings.

Yours,

Count L. Tolstoy

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the specifications for That Which is Eternal?

That Which is Eternal measures 30cm wide by 30cm tall, unframed, part of the Parch collection. Acrylic paint is applied to 12oz cotton duck canvas over sustainable hardwood stretcher bars. The piece is presented in a chocolate timber frame with a matt archival coating and is signed on the front and back. A certificate of authenticity accompanies the artwork. Avoid hanging That Which is Eternal in direct sunlight or humid rooms to protect its layered surface.

That Which is Eternal comes with free shipping anywhere in Australia. For international orders, please contact Lee J Morgan Art to arrange delivery and costs. That Which is Eternal is framed to order once purchased, with a two week turnaround before it leaves the studio, so it will not be dispatched immediately. Add this framing period to the usual courier delivery time when working out an arrival date. If you need That Which is Eternal by a specific date, let us know and we will try to accommodate your timeline.

Yes, That Which is Eternal can be viewed in person by appointment at the studio in northwestern Sydney. A visit lets you see the warm neutral, soft stone and parchment tones in natural light and get a true sense of scale before committing. Contact Lee J Morgan Art to arrange a time that works for you. We are happy to bring out companion pieces from the same collection so you can compare colours and finishes together.

That Which is Eternal is a compact 30cm square piece, so it suits smaller wall spaces such as a study nook, kitchen wall or narrow hallway rather than standing alone as a hero piece. Its warm neutral, soft stone and parchment tones pair naturally with light, considered interiors and gentle, indirect lighting. That Which is Eternal also works well grouped with other small pieces to build a layered gallery wall, or displayed as part of a pair. The palette suits contemporary, coastal or Japandi interiors.

That Which is Eternal's warm neutral, soft stone and parchment tones sit well with warm timbers such as walnut or American oak, paired with brushed brass or aged bronze hardware for a considered lift. A boucle cushion in a complementary tone echoes the palette, while a warm limestone or terracotta floor keeps the space feeling grounded. Linen curtains in a soft neutral shade allow the tones to read clearly in natural light. That Which is Eternal also pairs well with blackbutt furniture or a timber side table.