PREFACE - ACTIVITIES

1) When Wilde published The Picture of Dorian Gray in novel form in 1891, he added a Preface which embodies his aesthetic doctrine. The Preface consists of a list of short statements about art, the artist, the critic, art and morality. The artist is the creator of beautiful things, Wilde states the artist's superiority. The critic is he who can translate into a new material his impression of beautiful things. Last but not least Wilde thinks that morality  of art consists in the perfect use of an imperfect medium.

2)  According to Walter Pater's idea about art, he states that art is able to reveal the highest quality to your moments as they past, in order to produce pleasure.

3) In the Victorian Age art had two important tasks: to teach and to entertain. Walter Pater's concept of art contrasts with that of the mid- Victorian years, because of art exists for its own sake.