The Picture of Dorian Gray
A Gothic novel about a portrait that ages instead of its subject.
Oscar Wilde's only novel, *The Picture of Dorian Gray*, is a work of philosophical fiction and Gothic horror first published in 1890. A shorter version appeared in the July 1890 issue of *Lippincott's Monthly Magazine*, with the full novel released in April 1891. It is considered a classic of both Gothic and English literature and has been adapted numerous times for film, stage, and other art forms.
The story centers on a portrait of the young and beautiful Dorian Gray, painted by his friend, the artist Basil Hallward. Through Basil, Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton, whose hedonistic philosophy—that beauty and sensual pleasure are life's only true pursuits—captivates him. Fearing the loss of his looks with age, Dorian impulsively wishes that the portrait would age instead of him, effectively selling his soul. His wish granted, Dorian leads a life of varied immoral experiences while remaining youthful; the portrait, meanwhile, ages and records every sin.
Upon its initial publication, the novel sparked significant controversy and criticism. Largely overlooked until the 1980s, it has since been recognized as Wilde's most famous work, drawing both academic and popular attention, and remains one of the most widely read Gothic novels. *The Guardian* included it among the 100 best English-language novels ever written.
**Origins**
The exact inspiration for *The Picture of Dorian Gray* remains a subject of speculation, though it is often linked to Wilde's fascination with beauty and aging. In 1889, *Lippincott's Monthly Magazine* editor J. M. Stoddart was in London seeking novellas. On 30 August 1889, he dined with Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle, and T. P. Gill at the Langham Hotel, commissioning a novella from each. Doyle submitted *The Sign of the Four* (published February 1890). Stoddart received Wilde's manuscript for *The Picture of Dorian Gray* on 7 April 1890, seven months after the commission. In July 1889, Wilde had published "The Portrait of Mr. W. H.", a different story with a similar title, described as "a preliminary sketch of some of
- author
- Oscar Wilde
- published
- 1890 (novella), 1891 (novel)
- field
- Literature
- nationality
- Irish
- known_for
- Only novel by Oscar Wilde; classic of Gothic and English literature
Lore & Background
The story revolves around a portrait of Dorian Gray painted by Basil Hallward, a friend of Dorian's and an artist infatuated with Dorian's beauty. Through Basil, Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton and is soon enthralled by the aristocrat's hedonistic worldview: that beauty and sensual fulfilment are the only things worth pursuing in life. Knowing that he will lose his beauty with time, Dorian impulsively chooses to sell his soul and asks for the portrait, rather than himself, to age and fade. His wish granted, Dorian pursues a libertine life of varied immoral experiences while staying young and beautiful; all the while, his portrait ages and visually records every one of Dorian's sins.
The novel was initially subjected to significant controversy and criticism following its publication. Largely ignored until the 1980s, it has come to be recognised as Wilde's best-known work, attracting critical academic and popular interest, and it remains one of the most widely read Gothic novels. The Guardian listed it among the 100 best novels ever written in English, and the book has inspired the Dorian Awards since 2009.
Reader's Guide
The Picture of Dorian Gray is significant as the only novel by Oscar Wilde and a key work of Gothic and English literature. Initially controversial and criticized, it was largely ignored until the 1980s, after which it gained recognition as Wilde's best-known work. The novel has attracted both critical academic and popular interest, and remains one of the most widely read Gothic novels. Its influence extends to the Dorian Awards, established in 2009. The story's exploration of beauty, hedonism, and moral decay, along with its supernatural portrait device, has made it a lasting cultural touchstone. The novel's publication history includes a shorter 1890 novella version in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine and a revised 1891 novel-length edition with added chapters and a preface. An uncensored edition published in 2011 restored passages deleted by the original editor, including homoerotic references. The preface, written in response to criticism, became famous as a literary and artistic manifesto supporting art for art's sake.
Did You Know?
- The novel was inspired by a jest Oscar Wilde made in 1887 while sitting for a portrait by Canadian artist Frances Richards.
- The original 1890 magazine version had about 500 words deleted by editor J. M. Stoddart without Wilde's knowledge, including passages alluding to homosexuality.
- The 1891 novel version expanded the text from thirteen to twenty chapters and added the book's famous preface.
- The Guardian listed The Picture of Dorian Gray among the 100 best novels ever written in English.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote The Picture of Dorian Gray and when was it published?
Oscar Wilde, the Irish writer, authored the novel, which first appeared in a shortened form in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine in July 1890 before the expanded book edition came out in April 1891. It is the only novel Wilde ever wrote.
What is the central supernatural premise of the story?
A painted portrait of Dorian Gray ages and decays while Dorian himself stays forever young, acting as a visible ledger of every immoral act he performs. This inversion of natural aging drives the entire plot.
Who are the main characters?
The narrative follows Dorian Gray, the handsome young man at the story's heart; Basil Hallward, the painter who creates the cursed portrait; and Lord Henry Wotton, the witty aristocrat whose philosophy of pleasure and self-indulgence leads Dorian astray.
How does the story end?
In the final scene, Dorian slashes the portrait in a panic, but the knife kills him instead and his face instantly crumples into the aged, hideous form the painting had taken. The portrait, when examined afterward, shows his youthful, unblemished face once more.
Why is the novel considered a classic?
It is celebrated as a cornerstone of Gothic fiction and Aesthetic-era literature, probing the tension between outward beauty and inner moral decay. The work has been adapted countless times across film, theater, and other art forms since its late-nineteenth-century publication.
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