The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890) is Oscar Wilde's provocative and mesmerizing novel that explores the boundaries of desire, beauty, and morality. When the young and handsome Dorian makes a fateful pact to have his portrait age instead of him, he plunges into a life of indulgence without visible consequence. But while his face remains untouched by time, the painting bears the weight of his corruption. A tale of decadence, art, and double lives, written with Wilde's signature irony and dazzling wit that made him a literary icon.

Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) was an Irish writer, poet, and playwright, renowned for his sharp wit, flamboyant style, and brilliant social critique. Although he gained widespread acclaim for his plays and essays, his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, stands as a cornerstone of English literature. Wilde was a leading voice in the aesthetic movement, championing the idea of "art for art's sake." His life—marked by both literary success and personal scandal—continues to fascinate readers around the world.