When Did Oscar Wilde Write “The Picture Of Dorian Gray?”

This novel was published in 1890 and has been well known ever since. Its central idea has almost become a part of folklore: a man's quest for eternal youth.

The handsome young Dorian Gray has his portrait painted. Seeing its beauty, he wishes that the portrait might get old and decay, while he remains young. He gets his wish. As the years pass he commits one evil action after another, ruining lives and doing exactly as he pleases; still looking so young and innocent that strangers can never believe the rumours about him. Meanwhile the picture quickly begins to look bloated, wrinkled and loathsome, its face reflecting its owner's life and character. As soon as it begins to change, Dorian hides it in the attic; when the artist comes back and insists on seeing the picture, Dorian kills him. After this, the picture's hands are stained with blood.

Eventually Dorian grows so disgusted with himself that he resolves to destroy the portrait and take the consequences of his own actions in future. He stabs the canvas, which immediately returns to its original beauty, while Dorian himself is found on the floor with a knife through his heart, a hideous old man.

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