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“We become what we behold.”
- William Blake (1757–1827), English poet and painter
Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde (1854–1900), on a visit to the USA, was asked at the border by the customs official if he had anything to declare. “Only my genius,” said Wilde.
Though witty and immodest, his reply likely held some truth.
Wilde was brilliant, but, as he once commented, he put his talent into his work; his genius he reserved for his life.
One can only wonder what his output might have been had it been the other way around.
Despite this, one of Wilde’s more memorable works was THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, his only novel.
Dorian Gray, the protagonist, is dashing, handsome, charming, and reasonably intelligent.
He is the ultimate muse of well-known artist Basil Hallward. Hallward’s friend, Lord Henry Wotton, famous wit, claims the portrait is Basil’s masterpiece.
Wotton speaks to Gray about the transient nature of beauty and youth.
In a fit of distress, Dorian pledges his soul if only the painting could bear the burden of age, allowing him to stay forever young. He takes the portrait home.
