Oscar Wilde, Intentions

Katherine O'Keefe (University College Dublin)

Ed. by Ian Campbell Ross, Trinity College Dublin
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.07: English Writing and Culture of the Victorian Period, 1837-1901.
Vol. editors: Gillian Fenwick (University of Toronto), Jessica Gossling (Goldsmiths College, University of London)

Domains

Art Theory and History

Dates

First circulation or publication 1891

Places

Ireland, Republic of (Eire) (Country of Origin)
United Kingdom (Publication/ performance)

Genres and Modes

Commentary / criticism

Resources

Save to Bookshelf

Recommended Reading

Intentions

, first published in 1891 as a decorated book designed by Charles Ricketts, collects, in often substantially revised form, several of Oscar Wilde’s previously published critical writings regarding art and its place in society: “The Decay of Lying” (1889), “Pen Pencil and Poison” (1889), “The Critic as Artist” (1891), and “The Truth of Masks”. These individual works display the development of Wilde’s personal theories of art and aesthetics in conversation with the prevalent trends in art and aesthetics of the late-Victorian era. The title

Intentions

suggests a dialogue with Walter Pater’s

Appreciations

, which Lawrence Danson calls a “starting point” for Wilde’s volume (13). In collection, the works reveal preoccupations with the overall purpose of art…

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2775 words

Citation: O'Keefe, Katherine. "Intentions". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 11 February 2011 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=4378, accessed 23 November 2024.]

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