"The Picture of Dorian Gray" is a philosophical novel written by Oscar Wilde and first published as a serial in 1890. The story revolves around a young man named Dorian Gray who has his portrait painted by the talented Basil Hallward. Influenced by the hedonistic Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian wishes that he could always remain as young and beautiful as he appears in the portrait while the painting ages and bears the marks of his sins instead. As time passes, Dorian indulges in every form of vice and decadence, but his appearance remains unchanged, while his portrait becomes progressively grotesque. The novel delves into themes of aestheticism, moral duplicity, and the nature of beauty.
