Hello, and very welcome to this site dedicated to the late Mr. Dorian Gray. Here you can find everything regarding the astounding Dorian Gray's life. We hope he can inspire you as much as he has inspired us.
In memory of our beloved friend,
Dorian Gray
20 June 1870-24 September 1908
London
“Some things are more precious because they don't last long."
Orphaned as a young boy and left only with a great inheritance, Dorian Gray grew up with his guardian in London. He was a man of mystery and great depth. I remember the first time I met him. He was the most beautiful young man I had ever seen. It was our mutual late friend, Mr. Basil Hallward, who first introduced us. Basil was going to draw Dorian’s portrait and the result was truly breath taking. The portrait captured Dorian perfectly: great beauty and with an essence of never-ending youth.
He was an innocent young boy when we first met and he fell in and out of love easily. His first affection was the young actress Ms. Sibyl Vane. I remember him telling me that he fell in love with the characters she played on stage. Their love story ended abruptly and deplorable as Romeo and Juliet's with the death of Ms. Vane. The incident changed Dorian in many ways. For the first time he truly felt loss and the boy he was, grew up to become a man. As the years progressed Dorian explored all sides of life and what it had to offer him. If he found something intriguing, he would delve into it until there was nothing left to discover for him.
The ways of Dorian Gray were sometimes curious and unexplainable. The disappearance of our very good friend Basil affected him enormously. The two were very close and when Basil disappeared it was as if he had evaporated right before Dorian’s eyes. I do not think that Dorian could ever really see clearly after that again.
I like to think that I played an important role in Dorian’s life. I know that he played a major role in my life and that he offered me a kind of companionship that I never experienced with anyone else. I can only hope I offered the same for him and that I, with my older age and greater experience, taught him something about life and prepared him for what the future might hold.
A wonderful man, a great friend and a fascinating personality has suddenly left us and our loss is tremendous.
Lord Henry Wotton
By: Ellen Wahlquist
He was an innocent young boy when we first met and he fell in and out of love easily. His first affection was the young actress Ms. Sibyl Vane. I remember him telling me that he fell in love with the characters she played on stage. Their love story ended abruptly and deplorable as Romeo and Juliet's with the death of Ms. Vane. The incident changed Dorian in many ways. For the first time he truly felt loss and the boy he was, grew up to become a man. As the years progressed Dorian explored all sides of life and what it had to offer him. If he found something intriguing, he would delve into it until there was nothing left to discover for him.
The ways of Dorian Gray were sometimes curious and unexplainable. The disappearance of our very good friend Basil affected him enormously. The two were very close and when Basil disappeared it was as if he had evaporated right before Dorian’s eyes. I do not think that Dorian could ever really see clearly after that again.
I like to think that I played an important role in Dorian’s life. I know that he played a major role in my life and that he offered me a kind of companionship that I never experienced with anyone else. I can only hope I offered the same for him and that I, with my older age and greater experience, taught him something about life and prepared him for what the future might hold.
A wonderful man, a great friend and a fascinating personality has suddenly left us and our loss is tremendous.
Lord Henry Wotton
By: Ellen Wahlquist
Interview with Basil Hallward
By: Tamali Majumder and Ellen Wahlquist
Play review - Romeo and Juliet
Starring: Sibyl Vane as Juliet Capulet
Last night Romeo and Juliet premiered at the local theatre, and what a premiere! Even though there were no red carpets, nor any known faces on stage, the cast did a brilliant job portraying Shakespeare’s perhaps best known plays. Not only was the plot as intriguing as usual, but Sibyl Vane, starring Juliet Capulet, made the story more living than I’ve ever seen it before. She displayed nothing but pure genius in the spotlight as she brought her every move and line to life. Here mere presence makes jaws fall and eyes pop. Her beauty seems eternal while she embodies the feelings of a young, ever so in love, teenager. She glows of charisma and energy as she crosses the stage, like she did not know the life beyond it. Born and raised on stage, Sibyl Vane has gained all knowledge and experience to play every role possible. Indeed she promises to be one of London’s finest female actors within the short future.
Quite the catch many upstanding London gentlemen might think, but only at first glance. Rumour has it she is involved in a somewhat secret relation with a man, known only as ”Prince Charming” at the theatre. Apparently he visits every night and never lays eyes on anything but miss Vane. Lucky guy I must admit, for Sibyl Vane is something else in every way.
By: Love Wikland
The Sculpture of Daniel Grey
Authors comment
What was originally thought to be a light child’s fairytale quickly escalated into the dark horrifying story you are about to read. Original story by: Oscar Wilde.
Once upon a time, in a land far far away, stood a knight. The knight’s name was Daniel Grey and he stood there as his friend, the very talented Barion Holloward copied his every curve into a sculpture. Barion had recently taken great interest in the young knight with a personality more virtuous than mother mary’s herself and a soul cleaner than the rivers of Olympos. The knight’s looks was if possible even more stunning than his armour, frequently spoken of by the tongues of the kingdoms‘ maidens. In a chair beside the two men sat the king’s counsellor, the very well spoken and most persuasive Count Harold. He was as famous an orator as he was infamous a poisonous snake.
The young and impressionable knight, Daniel, was instantly infatuated by the counsellor’s assertive yet calm way of talking, reasoning, being. Lord Harold’s, favourite matter to discuss was beyond doubt beauty and its importance to life. Daniel not knowing that that was the day his demise started to arise, fell victim to the counsellor’s words. The knight made a secret wish, that the sculpture was to age and rot, while Daniel himself remained as glistening as his armour. From that day forward, the Knight and the counsellor met every day, speaking, drinking, indulging.
Shortly after the knight’s first acquaintance with Lord Harold, he laid eyes on the purest of creations, the very beautiful and utterly gifted, Stella. With skills like no one else she captivated Daniels heart at first sight. They married with only the moon as witness but as Daniel placed the ring around Stella’s finger the world was turned upside down. The vows had altered Stella, cursed her, deprived her of her beauty and genius. The knight was repelled by her mere existence and he swore never to meet her again. The tears flooded the young woman’s face and in her desperation she penetrated her own heart with a dagger. Needless however, for her heart was already shattered in a million pieces.
The knight, struck by not a blade, nor a knife, but worse, his conscience, ran home with dread pumping in his veins. As he entered the room housing the sculpture, carved by his friend Barion, he saw something terrible. In the sculpture’s hand was a dagger, very similar to the dagger Stella had used to end her own life. Horrified, stupefied, petrified by this sudden and unexplainable change he locked the piece of art away. As he turned the key to the secret chamber it all became clear. The wish he had made upon hearing Lord Harlod’s theory concerning beauty had come true. Could it really be possible that the painting had taken over Daniel’s humanising characteristics? The knight decided not to worry too much about it, his forehead might get wrinkled and besides, there were countesses to defile.
Time passed and the knight’s hypothesis was never proved wrong. His dashing looks never faded nor did the glance of his armour. He visited every kingdom, every city, indulging in every sin possible. Despite his actions his body remained as beautiful as it had always been. He was his own master piece, beyond reach of age and sin. The sculpture however was not as fortunate. For every woman Daniel conquered, for every man he ruined and for every shoulder he shrugged, it eroded.
Barion, the artist, was to take part of a competition and asked Daniel to borrow the master piece of art. Daniel fearing the worst refused at first but as an urge to confess his sins washed over him he took Barion to the secret chamber. As the artist laid eyes on the sculpture, he winced. Never before had he seen what he saw. As he turned towards the still young and beautiful knight he saw an axe in his periphery. It was too late and the crack of the skull echoed through the room. Daniel, fearing himself, looked at the sculpture for the last time. Dripping with blood, empty eyes and crooked back it stood there. Furious, desperate and berserk he threw the axe towards the sculpture, hoping to separate the head from the body.
Hours later, the butler searched for his master. In the secret chamber he looked, only to find an old, wrecked, decapitated man. The sculpture was as beautiful as it ever had been.
By: Love Wikland
Authors comment
What was originally thought to be a light child’s fairytale quickly escalated into the dark horrifying story you are about to read. Original story by: Oscar Wilde.
Once upon a time, in a land far far away, stood a knight. The knight’s name was Daniel Grey and he stood there as his friend, the very talented Barion Holloward copied his every curve into a sculpture. Barion had recently taken great interest in the young knight with a personality more virtuous than mother mary’s herself and a soul cleaner than the rivers of Olympos. The knight’s looks was if possible even more stunning than his armour, frequently spoken of by the tongues of the kingdoms‘ maidens. In a chair beside the two men sat the king’s counsellor, the very well spoken and most persuasive Count Harold. He was as famous an orator as he was infamous a poisonous snake.
The young and impressionable knight, Daniel, was instantly infatuated by the counsellor’s assertive yet calm way of talking, reasoning, being. Lord Harold’s, favourite matter to discuss was beyond doubt beauty and its importance to life. Daniel not knowing that that was the day his demise started to arise, fell victim to the counsellor’s words. The knight made a secret wish, that the sculpture was to age and rot, while Daniel himself remained as glistening as his armour. From that day forward, the Knight and the counsellor met every day, speaking, drinking, indulging.
Shortly after the knight’s first acquaintance with Lord Harold, he laid eyes on the purest of creations, the very beautiful and utterly gifted, Stella. With skills like no one else she captivated Daniels heart at first sight. They married with only the moon as witness but as Daniel placed the ring around Stella’s finger the world was turned upside down. The vows had altered Stella, cursed her, deprived her of her beauty and genius. The knight was repelled by her mere existence and he swore never to meet her again. The tears flooded the young woman’s face and in her desperation she penetrated her own heart with a dagger. Needless however, for her heart was already shattered in a million pieces.
The knight, struck by not a blade, nor a knife, but worse, his conscience, ran home with dread pumping in his veins. As he entered the room housing the sculpture, carved by his friend Barion, he saw something terrible. In the sculpture’s hand was a dagger, very similar to the dagger Stella had used to end her own life. Horrified, stupefied, petrified by this sudden and unexplainable change he locked the piece of art away. As he turned the key to the secret chamber it all became clear. The wish he had made upon hearing Lord Harlod’s theory concerning beauty had come true. Could it really be possible that the painting had taken over Daniel’s humanising characteristics? The knight decided not to worry too much about it, his forehead might get wrinkled and besides, there were countesses to defile.
Time passed and the knight’s hypothesis was never proved wrong. His dashing looks never faded nor did the glance of his armour. He visited every kingdom, every city, indulging in every sin possible. Despite his actions his body remained as beautiful as it had always been. He was his own master piece, beyond reach of age and sin. The sculpture however was not as fortunate. For every woman Daniel conquered, for every man he ruined and for every shoulder he shrugged, it eroded.
Barion, the artist, was to take part of a competition and asked Daniel to borrow the master piece of art. Daniel fearing the worst refused at first but as an urge to confess his sins washed over him he took Barion to the secret chamber. As the artist laid eyes on the sculpture, he winced. Never before had he seen what he saw. As he turned towards the still young and beautiful knight he saw an axe in his periphery. It was too late and the crack of the skull echoed through the room. Daniel, fearing himself, looked at the sculpture for the last time. Dripping with blood, empty eyes and crooked back it stood there. Furious, desperate and berserk he threw the axe towards the sculpture, hoping to separate the head from the body.
Hours later, the butler searched for his master. In the secret chamber he looked, only to find an old, wrecked, decapitated man. The sculpture was as beautiful as it ever had been.
By: Love Wikland
The Dorian Gray Syndrome
Oscar Wilde’s timeless novel The Picture of Dorian Gray has been a source of inspiration to musicians, poets and other artists all over the world. It has even given name to several games on the internet and to something less expected – a syndrome. The name of this particular syndrome is the Dorian Gray Syndrome (DGS). It is where people are excessively preoccupied with their own appearance and they have difficulties coping with the aging process and the requirements of maturation. Often, the people suffering from this syndrome become extreme users of cosmetics and they even turn to medical procedures in order to preserve their youth.
Although the syndrome is not, yet, scientifically acknowledged a great number of the patients suffering from it in fact show signs of narcissistic characteristics and delayed maturation in certain aspects of their psychic development. Just like Dorian devotes himself to beautiful things such as perfumes, music, jewelry and embroideries, patients suffering from the DGS do just the same thing. However one difference today is that the beautiful things have been exchanged for hair growth, weight-loss products and as earlier mentioned medical procedures, such as plastic surgery and botox injections.
If you happen to know someone who shows signs of this syndrome, the question you might ask is: can there be anything done about it? Well first we have to find the root of the syndrome and this can either be a personality disorder or lack of self-esteem. Self-esteem can be improved by psychotherapy however a personality disorder needs more complex methods to improve such as medication and counseling. Although a few methods that can help patients recover from the syndrome exist, we can only hope that the patients do not end up like Dorian Gray…
By: Tamali Majumder
Oscar Wilde’s timeless novel The Picture of Dorian Gray has been a source of inspiration to musicians, poets and other artists all over the world. It has even given name to several games on the internet and to something less expected – a syndrome. The name of this particular syndrome is the Dorian Gray Syndrome (DGS). It is where people are excessively preoccupied with their own appearance and they have difficulties coping with the aging process and the requirements of maturation. Often, the people suffering from this syndrome become extreme users of cosmetics and they even turn to medical procedures in order to preserve their youth.
Although the syndrome is not, yet, scientifically acknowledged a great number of the patients suffering from it in fact show signs of narcissistic characteristics and delayed maturation in certain aspects of their psychic development. Just like Dorian devotes himself to beautiful things such as perfumes, music, jewelry and embroideries, patients suffering from the DGS do just the same thing. However one difference today is that the beautiful things have been exchanged for hair growth, weight-loss products and as earlier mentioned medical procedures, such as plastic surgery and botox injections.
If you happen to know someone who shows signs of this syndrome, the question you might ask is: can there be anything done about it? Well first we have to find the root of the syndrome and this can either be a personality disorder or lack of self-esteem. Self-esteem can be improved by psychotherapy however a personality disorder needs more complex methods to improve such as medication and counseling. Although a few methods that can help patients recover from the syndrome exist, we can only hope that the patients do not end up like Dorian Gray…
By: Tamali Majumder