Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was an Irish author most famous for his plays and poetry.

Málningurin av Dorian Gray (The Picture of Dorian Gray) is his only finished novel. It was published in 1891.

The novel revolves around a young man modelling for a painter. He becomes infatuated with his own beauty and prays fervently that he may always remain young and beautiful and for his ageing to take place only in his portrait instead.

He then begins to live an indecent life and his portrait becomes increasingly ugly for each immoral act he commits.

But does anyone really want to be trapped in eternal youth and wear its mask forever?

“His beauty had been to him but a mask, his youth but a mockery. What was youth at best? A green, an unripe time, a time of shallow moods, and sickly thoughts. Why had he worn its livery? Youth had spoiled him”

- From the novel

"He grew more and more enamoured of his own beauty, more and more interested in the corruption of his own soul."

- From the novel

This novel remains as relevant as ever.