BY: Adrian Smith
The Picture of Dorian Gray is a philosophical novel written by Oscar Wilde that holds the author’s opinions on the role of ‘the artist’ and what makes a truly great piece of art. In the preface of this novel, Wilde eloquently expresses ideas like, “thought and language are to the artist instruments of an art,” and “vice and virtue are to the artist materials for an art… it is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors.” The opinions of art that his timeless novel reveals are extremely thought provoking, and can serve as principles for the creative work of aspiring artists in any medium.
Take a look at the preface of The Picture of Dorian Gray below:
Image source: adelaide.edu.au
