OSCAR WILDE：the philosophy of art.docx

OSCAR WILDE: THE PHILOSOPHY OF BEAUTY by: Leonard Cresswell InglebyThe following essay was originally published in Oscar Wilde. Leonard Cresswell Ingleby. London: T. Werner Laurie, 1907.THE greatest claim that /browse.php?u=9feaed0a1a108Oi8vd3d3LmltYWdpLW5hdGlvbi5jb20vbW9vbnN0cnVjay9jbHNjMzguaHRtbA%3D%3Db=2Oscar Wilde made for himself was that he was a high priest of aesthetics, that he had a new message concerning the relations of beauty and the worship of beauty to life and art, to life and to morals to give to the world. This claim was one in which to the last he pathetically believed. He was absolutely certain in his own mind that this was his vocation. He elaborated a sort of philosophy of beauty which not only pleased and satisfied himself, but found very many adherents, and became the dogma of a school. Even in This last work, De Profundis, written in the middle of his degradation and misery, he still believes that it is by art that he will be able to regenerate his spirit. He said that he would do such work in the future, would build beautiful things out of his sufferings, that he might cry in triumph Yes! This is just where the artistic life leads a man. We all know where the artistic life did lead Oscar Wilde upon his release from prison. It led him to an obscure quarter of Paris where he dragged out the short remainder of an unhappy life, having written nothing save The Ballad of Reading Gaol, and becoming more and more lost to finer aspirations. Yet, nevertheless, this aesthetic philosophy of Wildes forms one of the most important parts of his writings, and of his attitude towards life. It must, therefore, be carefully considered in any study of the man and his work. First of all, let us inquire, what are aesthetics? Do not let anyone who has not given his attention to the subject imagine that the aestheticism, which became known as the hallmark of a band of people led by Oscar Wilde who committed many whimsical extravagances, and who were caricatured in