Chapter 134 — Anna Karenina

The chapter enters Mihailov's studio before the visit. He works intensely, poor yet absorbed, and forgets the figure in his picture that had once seemed successful. Creation and doubt alternate in his cramped life.

At home he lives in peace with his wife Sasha and their children. Domestic tenderness supports his art. When word comes that distinguished Russian visitors may call, he tries to look indifferent. Pride and poverty make him wary of patronage and judgment.

Tolstoy shows the artist from inside before Vronsky, Anna, and Golenishtchev arrive with money and opinions. Mihailov's inner life will make the coming debate about Pilate and Christ more than a social comedy.

Mihailov's cramped studio and tender home life precede the visitors who bring money and opinions. Pride and poverty make him wary of patronage before Vronsky, Anna, and Golenishtchev debate Pilate on his walls.

Creation and doubt alternate in Mihailov's cramped life before Russians with money lecture his Pilate; domestic tenderness with Sasha grounds art that pride makes wary of visitors. The chapter closes on that beat with no easy moral, only the next consequence waiting in the following pages.

Before the studio visit, domestic scenes with the child show Mihailov painting for bread and meaning, not for the compliments Russians will later offer or withhold.