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Adam, you're a good a compassionate man.

Earlier this year, for the first time, I read Oscar Wilde's, "The Picture of Dorian Gray." I had heard of it, of course, but I never really knew its theme. It's about the tragedy of seeking only superficiality in life. Dorian discovers this far too late.

I love it when Adam shares his sight-seeing trips with us. He really loves art in many forms. Wilde was so controversial. So unfairly persecuted. We have come a long way regarding LGBTQ issues, but unfortunately, in recent years and in some parts of the world, we seem to have regressed. It's a struggle that still has a long way to go.

Humm....that statue is certainly NOT the most flattering "likeness" of Oscar Wilde!
It's hard to tell if it was dedicated to him by friends or enemies!..LOL

A bit of info about that Oscar Wilde memorial statue in London:

Link: https://memoirsofametrogirl.com/2014/07/04/oscar-wilde-memorial-a-conversation-with-maggi-hambling/

An excerpt:

"‘A Conversation With Oscar Wilde’ by Maggi Hambling is a bit more interactive than most memorials. I have often walked past it to see people sitting on it eating their lunch, perhaps completely oblivious to what they are resting their posterior on… but they could also be having a quiet moment with Oscar. Unveiled by actor Stephen Fry on the 98th anniversary of his death on 30 November 1998, the piece consists of a granite block, which looks rather coffin-shaped, with the bronze head and shoulders of Oscar peering out. Oscar’s hand originally held a cigarette, but is currently absent, despite being replaced several times. Describing the piece, Hambling has said in the past: ‘The idea is that he is rising, talking, laughing, smoking from this sarcophagus and the passerby, should he or she choose to, can sit on the sarcophagus and have a conversation with him.’

At the tail end of the piece is a quote from his 1892 play Lady Windermere’s Fan (first performed at St James’s Theatre), which is probably one of his most memorable and apt quotes. ‘We are all – in the gutter – but some of us – are looking at – the stars.’"

Thanks for that, glitzy. It makes the sculpture even more meaningful.

Adam so thoughtful and caring! I have Oscar Wildes book "The Picture of Dorian Gray" I love this story and loved the Hollywood black and white movie version!

Glitzylady.....Thanks for that interesting bit of history about Oscar Wilde. Also, that certainly explains the macabre appearance of his statue!

"The Picture of Dorian Gray" reminds me of a true family story. My father was something of a tyrant, and very intimidating. When he retired, he was given a testamonial dinner by his peers. As a gift, they had commissioned an oil portrait of him by a well-known local painter.

That was as UGLY a painting as I've ever seen!...our whole family felt the same...except my father. Too much black was used in shadows, darkening the face, and giving it a most malevolent expression....almost insightful into his true temperament! Being approximately 2' by 3', it literally ruined any room it was hung in...... but we couldn't say that to my father!

After my parents died, my sister, brother and I kept shipping that painting back and forth to each other...no one wanted it! It seemed like a curse! We called it "The Picture of Dorian GAY" (GAY was our family name).

The last time it was sent to me, I finally screwed up the courage to slash that canvas into tiny pieces, and throw it into the trash...much to the relief of my sister and brother...and me! We were finally free!

But I still get chills when I hear the words..."The Picture of Dorian Gray"!

Nanbert, Wow. That was quite a story about your father's picture!

Weird, but true! All the discussion about Oscar Wilde suddenly brought that memory flooding back...in technicolor...whew!