Shorter Prose Pieces by Oscar Wilde

Author: Oscar Wilde | Published: -

Shorter Prose Pieces Synopsis

Excerpt from Shorter Prose Pieces Online Book

It is only in the best Greek gems, on the silver coins of Syracuse, or among the marble figures of the Parthenon frieze, that one can find the ideal representation of the marvellous beauty of that face which laughed through the leaves last night as Hester Grazebrook.

Pure Greek it is, with the grave low forehead, the exquisitely arched brow; the noble chiselling of the mouth, shaped as if it were the mouthpiece of an instrument of music; the supreme and splendid curve of the cheek; the augustly pillared throat which bears it all: it is Greek, because the lines which compose it are so definite and so strong, and yet so exquisitely harmonized that the effect is one of simple loveliness purely: Greek, because its essence and its quality, as is the quality of music and of architecture, is that of beauty based on absolutely mathematical laws.

About Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde is widely regarded as one of the most important literary figures of the 19th century. His work, including plays such as The Importance Of Being Earnest and An Ideal Husband, tackled a wide range of topics and themes that remain relevant to this day. His writing was renowned for its wit, intellectualism and insight into human relationships.

Wilde's life was often turbulent and controversial; his tumultuous relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas famously led to his trial on charges of “gross indecency” in 1895. His imprisonment marked a turning point in Wilde's life, his health deteriorated during this time and he died three years later at the age of 46. Despite this tragedy, Oscar Wilde's works continue to be celebrated around the world for their intelligence, beauty and humour. Find out more about Oscar Wilde at sevenov.com.