Ivan Albright
Picture of Dorian Gray, 1943-1944 Art Institute of Chicago

Some of you might know I read ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ by Oscar Wilde in 2024, and ever since, it has left a lasting impression that haunts me (pun intended). The book explores themes of immortality, vanity, and moral corruption among many others.

Published in 1890, the novel centres around a portrait of Dorian Gray, painted by ‘Basil Hallward’, who is mesmerised by Dorian’s beauty. When Dorian meets the Charismatic and cynical friend of Basil, ‘Lord Henry Wotton’, he is tainted like fruit tainted by a bruise. Convinced to be fearful of losing his beauty and youth, he wishes that he might remain forever young, while the painting bears the burden of age and sin.

“If it were I who was to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old! For that, for that I would give everything.”

Extract from The Picture of Dorian Gray, chapter 2

His wish is mysteriously granted. As Dorian plunges into a life of indulgence, vice, and moral decay, his face stays flawless, untouched by time. But hidden away, the portrait begins to change, becoming a grotesque mirror of his soul. At first, Dorian is frightened, confused when seeing the portrait’s change, but ultimately, he is entranced by the disturbing sight, submitting himself to sin, deceit, and even murder.

Being Oscar Wilde’s only novel, the story can be said to be a reflection of his views on beauty, art, and the hidden complexities of human nature. It’s said that the idea for the novel was first sparked during a conversation with a Canadian artist and friend, when Wilde remarked something along the lines of, “What a tragic thing it is! This portrait will remain beautiful while I grow old and horrible.”

In a letter, Oscar Wilde wrote in 1894, Wilde states:

“The Picture of Dorian Gray contains much of me in it. Basil Hallward is what I think I am: Lord Henry, what the world thinks me: Dorian, what I would like to be, in other ages perhaps”

In this statement, Wilde parallels himself to each defining character and characteristic. Fusing a psychological idea that Basil represents an artist with a moral conscience, Lord Henry embodies a cynical, critical social commentator, a nod to how he felt society perceived him, and finally, Dorian reflects youth, beauty and freedom, potential factors Oscar Wilde may have longed for. This reveals that this wasn’t just a story to Wilde but a personal introspective journey into identity, art and mortality.

Wilde was deeply influenced by the Aesthetic movement, which was both embraced and subtly challenged in the novel.

Understanding the Aesthetic movement?

The Aesthetic movement, especially in late 19th-century Britain, promoted the idea of “art for art’s sake” that beauty and sensory pleasure were the highest pursuits, and that art shouldn’t be weighed down by moral or social concerns.

Dorian Gray becomes the epitome of aesthetic ideals, chasing a life of self-indulgence and pleasure. However, as Dorian descends into corruption through Lord Henry’s influence, the painting takes the form of his twisted consequences, a metaphor for the cost of living without conscience and what the Aesthetic movement ignores.

The novel also critiques Victorian society, a culture that exalted beauty while ruthlessly punishing those who defied its norms, a foreshadowing of Wilde’s own fate and trial in 1895.

Aside from being a story with queer undertones, what struck me most was the idea of hiding oneself behind a painting, locking away the true self, a narrative that has lingered with me. Like Oscar Wilde, I feel a semblance to Dorian Gray. The story reflects vanity and greed, a reminder of our unnatural obsession with beauty and youth. A desire to be admired. A human quality that lies in us.

{Update 30/06/2025} The Picture of Dorian Gray represents an idolism of external beauty, greed and vanity. It shows society’s deep obsession with appearance; we care more about how we look than how we think or feel. It’s the division of outer beauty against inner truth. Dorian Gray shows that we would rather sell our souls for youth and beauty.

{Poem}

An unnatural obsession - this need to attain beauty.
We are bound by form, and somehow, we call it duty.
A soul, given up for the promise of an eye.
We deprive it willingly.
Why are we like this? Why do we lie?
This idolism of beauty... this persistent train of thought.
We would rather look good than be good
This is what is taught.   

This blog reflects my personal thoughts and interpretations. It is written for creative and reflective purposes.