At the Art Institute of Chicago, a man stops to look at "The Picture of Dorian Gray," a painting by Ivan Albright that was used in the 1945 movie version of the Oscar Wilde book.
Here's the fantastic scene in the movie when the portrait is revealed. The pacing, the music, and the sudden use of color in a black and white movie make the revelation surprisingly visceral, even though you know what you are going to see.
From the book:
“Years ago, when I was a boy,” said Dorian Gray, crushing the flower in his hand, “you met me, flattered me, and taught me to be vain of my good looks. One day you introduced me to a friend of yours, who explained to me the wonder of youth, and you finished the portrait of me that revealed to me the wonder of beauty. In a mad moment, that, even now, I don’t know whether I regret or not, I made a wish, perhaps you would call it a prayer.... It has destroyed me.”ADDED: The painting is not properly viewed as a "movie prop," as one commenter puts it. At the Art Institute there was a special exhibit devoted to Albright (titled "Flesh"). Here's one of the most striking paintings (from 1930/1931), "And God Created Man in His Own Image":
“I don’t believe it is my picture.”
“Can’t you see your ideal in it?” said Dorian, bitterly.
“My ideal, as you call it....”
“As you called it.”
“There was nothing evil in it, nothing shameful. You were to me such an ideal as I shall never meet again. This is the face of a satyr.”
“It is the face of my soul.”
“Christ! what a thing I must have worshipped! It has the eyes of a devil.”
“Each of us has Heaven and Hell in him, Basil,” cried Dorian, with a wild gesture of despair.
There was also a collection of self-portraits, including this one from 1982:
Posts
66 comments:
My wife and I watched that movie last year. It was fantastic. I'm so happy to see that the portrait was saved.
I disapprove of taking a movie prop, which happens to be a painting, out of context and placing it in an art museum. That moment when the movie shifts to color is key to any emotion this painting evokes. Tsk tsk.
From the naive days in which folks thought there was a good and evil.
It was a simpler time.
...make the revelation surprisingly visceral, even though you know what you are going to see.
Kinda like when I bumped into Nancy Pelosi by surprise the other night.
Another movie that uses the black-and-white to color technique as a painting is revealed is the Private Life of Bel Ami. The painting there is Max Ernst's Temptation of St. Anthony. It was commissioned (through a competition) for the movie and it also hangs in a museum Lehmbruck Museum in Duisburg, Germany.
Movie-wise, I've only seen the old version, which was sadly miscast. Is the 2009 version worth watching?
Oh, thanks, roadgeek!
Written in the days before nip, tuck and botox.
If I remember correctly, at the end of the novel, Dorian is about 40 years old. In the Victorian era, a 40 year old who looked like he was in his late teens would certainly have been a marvel. Today, people would ask him who his plastic surgeon is.
We know what made Oscar Wild(e).
The portrait doesn't look so bad. I'd settle for looking like that, He's got some hair and isn't overweight. With the right clothes and the right lighting, he's better looking than Harvey Weinstein.
Saw that painting 20 years ago and never forgot it. Two of the painter's other works, 'The Door' and 'And God created man in his own image' were also there and were equally creepy. When I saw you were at the Art Institute I was hoping you'd add a shot of one of these.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ozJ0S2vM0w
"Dorian Gray's Moral Depravity Is None Of Your Business."
I saw that painting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art here in NYC years ago when they mounted a comprehensive exhibit of Ivan Albright's amazing paintings. I have two monographs on Albright, who is decidedly mannerist and eccentric, but is truly sui generis!
Encountering a pure good life force is so rare among the sons of Adam that when we encounter one, we are determined to slay it. Them’s the breaks. So be good sparingly.
"I disapprove of taking a movie prop, which happens to be a painting, out of context and placing it in an art museum."
This painting is entirely in keeping with artist Ivan Albright's ouevre. It does the painting (and the painter) a disservice to dismiss it as a "movie prop." It certainly does belong in a museum.
Albright is a serious artist who took months or years to do a painting. The Art Institute has an exhibit of his work now, and a large room was full of detailed amazing paintings. He was commissioned to do this painting for the movie, but it’s not slapdash or shabby in any way. I will pur up some more photos of his work so you’ll understand who you’re dealing with here.
Each of us has Doofus and Evil Genius in him, Basil,” cried Dorian
That painting against a dark wall sucks. All that white in the place, and they have to put it in the bathroom...
That's a great movie, and that reveal is terrific. We actually gasped.
"Is the 2009 version worth watching?"
No! One of the few I've walked out on.
1945 all the way.
Movie-wise, I've only seen the old version, which was sadly miscast
There are several old versions. The 1945 is great.
Amazing movie clip, thank you for linking it, Prof. Althouse.
This book is, according to my 18-year-old son, "the only book that matters." He's a math-and-science kid (physics major next year at college) who had the great joy of a wonderful AP English teacher when he was a senior. Jack pushed this book into my hands so I would read it and we could talk about it. I can't wait to show him the clip. Thanks for sharing.
The Art Institute is one of the best places in Chicago. I usually visit when I'm there and was a non-resident member for years.
Cheryl said...
This book is, according to my 18-year-old son, "the only book that matters."
Things you say when you are 18.
Still, I'm glad to know that there is a young person out there who read a 19th century novel and enjoyed it. I hope he will discover that there are many, many books out there that matter.
I always saw the painting as the consequence of Leftism--true ugliness that destroys everything it touches. You have experienced it if you have read the droppings of PeePeeRotmo or any of the dozen or so Lefties here. Shun them.
Outstanding insight, Darrell. As for the Democrats who are tired of trying to get their party to push sane, centrist policies, #WalkAway.
I saw the movie on a black and white TV in the early '60's, so I didn't know that the Portrait was shown in color. It was still very effective.
On the other hand, I don't think The Wizard Of Oz would work in B&W.
Freeman says: There are several old versions. The 1945 is great.
That's the only version I've seen [twice]. While George Sanders was, as always, excellent in his villainous role, Hurd Hatfield as Grey brings nothing to the film, IMO. He showed neither innocence nor depravity. He showed nothing. Was he sleeping with the producer or something?
@exiledonmainstreet--for my son to say any book (beyond the Feynman lectures) mattered...that was huge. I told his English teacher, who thought it was great. Wrong, but great, because he knew he had awoken in my child a hunger for language and beauty beyond the things he had yet experienced. I love this book for that reason, and that is enough. It happens that I hadn't read this before. Now I have, and I liked it, but I also have an insight into my son that he thought this book was so important.
"I always saw the painting as the consequence of Leftism--true ugliness that destroys everything it touches."
Ludicrous. The painting has nothing to do with "leftism," or politics of any kind. As an illustration of Wilde's book, it reflects the inner amorality and ugliness of Dorian Gray, hidden in his life by the handsome, youthful appearance he presents. As an example of Ivan Albright's art, there is not much to distinguish the Dorian Gray portrait from most of Albright's other pictures, which are painted with an almost microscopic and exaggerated depiction of the world's physical details, creating a grotesque effect of seeing too much all that the same time.
Sometimes you guys should give it a rest with your obsessive need to see and interpret everything as a reflections of "leftism" (bad) or "not leftism" (good). Frankly, the terms "right" and "left" (partcularly "left") are so loosely and frequently abused they have been erased of any actual meaning. This is seen most clearly with such Tourettes's-like constructions as "left-liberal-socialists" and the like. Sheesh!
This is not so different from most other modern art of that time; looks like a dozen (or a hundred) other Picasso, Nolde etc. paintings.
Is art : modern art like Dorian Gray : his portrait?
Or is the correct point of view that Dorian Gray's portrait is more beautiful and interesting than the original because it shows more character?
In other words, what does this say about modern art?
"This is not so different from most other modern art of that time; looks like a dozen (or a hundred) other Picasso, Nolde etc. paintings."
It looks nothing like them or anyone else. Ivan Albright's paintings look like no one else's.
Why must it "say" anything about modern art? I'm sure Albright saw himself as a traditionalist.
Cheryl, I'm genuinely happy to hear that!
Leftism is like the ugliness and corruption of body, mind, and spirit by sin. But you don't believe in that, either, do you Comrade Cookie?
Sometimes you guys should give it a rest with your obsessive need to see and interpret everything as a reflections of "leftism" (bad) or "not leftism" (good).
Cookie, I am not a strong complainer about that particular painting although I do not think it is attractive. However, the political left has been waging a culture war since about 1960.
You may choose to ignore that and maybe you like modern painting but there is a correlation with politics and ugly art.
Something that happens repeatedly in Dorian Gray is that Gray gets others to do his "evil bidding" or to leave town or remain silent by the fact that he has dirt on them that he'll go public with unless they co-operate. Now, the standard assumption is that he's got evidence of homosexual affairs on them, but I see no reason not to broaden out the spectrum of depravity.
It just shows to go ya, at a high literary level, ya can't cheat an honest man. Kierkegaard discusses somewhere, I forget where, how true innocence is its own best defense against vice. Many of the characters in PoDG may not have a portrait keeping score of their every sin, but they are as morally befouled as DG.
I second Dr. K’s comment. You need to look in the mirror, Cookie. Your politics are ugly.
"sometimes you guys should give it a rest with your obsessive need to see and interpret everything as a reflections of "leftism" (bad) or "not leftism" (good)."
Lefty runs screamimg from the undeniable, inescapable and inevitable consequences resulting from the implementation of his desired policies.
Cuba a rusting hulk.
Venezuela a burning garbage dump s***-hole.
Nicaragua sinking fast.
....next up for lefty destruction: Mexico.
....next up for lefty destruction: Mexico.
Does it really matter who is elected? The country is run by drug cartels.
Once Mexico becomes a socialist paradise, I'm sure all of the illegal border crossings will stop.
"Does it really matter who is elected? The country is run by drug cartels."
Somewhat. It can make a difference on the margins.
Fundamentally the entire nation is a disfunctional and corrupt s***-hole....which the left completely desires to replicate within our borders.
How many political candidates were murdered in just this last election campaign?
About 135 or so.
Just give that some thought and continue pondering the No Borders/Pro-MS13 dems policies.
What could go wrong?
Cookie, you have the virtue of honesty even if I disagree with your politics and taste in art,
After all, I also disagree with my daughter's taste in art.
"Does it really matter who is elected? The country is run by drug cartels."
Who's buying all the drugs that keep the cartels going ?
"true innocence is the best defense against vice"
I don't know about Kierkegaard, but another writer from back in the day (Bernanos) talked about how the worst passion of lots of older people is sterile regret, which shows in their faces even, and the regret is an aftermath of years of vice, large and small, but it is sterile, because any one can change for the better any day.
With all due respect to people with financial problems, problems which I do not minimize, there are riches all around us (Ephesians 1) which have been waiting, like gold on the side of the street, for us to pick up since before we were created (also, Ephesians 1), people have limitless spiritual wealth at our disposal - even crabby old people - and yet live like paupers
true stories - before the internet, the New York and LA papers used to print articles, sometimes in the lower corner of the first page even, about lost heirs to English fortunes who were thought to be denizens of the skid row bars and wine-soaked flophouses of Manhattan and downtown LA, but since most of their friends did not read the paper, sometimes they died with millions of pounds to their names (although sometimes they were found); America's greatest miser, Hetty Green, died in 1916 with 100 million in the bank but eating cold oatmeal every morning because she was too cheap to heat it up (info I learned from the first chapters, respectively, of W.W. Wiersbe's "Be Rich" and J. Vernon McGee's "Thru the Bible" series on Ephesians.) (I did not remember you can die of apoplexy, but apparently Hetty Green, poor old girl, did, during a heated argument over the value of skimmed milk).
I added a couple more Albright images.
I hope they make his seriousness clear.
If anything, he's too serious!
One of the paintings, which I didn't photograph, is only the charcoal drawing with a few segments of it overworked in oil paint. Albright worked on it for over a year, during which the model grew taller, so he abandoned the project! It seems to me the thing could have been finished by just applying his painting technique to the detailed drawing that was already carefully done. But no!
I guess I am just a sucker for the Impressionists.
I visited Monet's house in Giverny.
It has been restored by the Rockefellers.
The area is an art colony.
"Sometimes you guys should give it a rest with your obsessive need to see and interpret everything as a reflections of "leftism" (bad) or "not leftism" (good)."
I agree. Politics seems -- a good lot of the time -- to be a way to escape from looking at your own life, your own circumstances and questions of personal morality and spiritual poverty. What are you doing in your immediate surroundings? Are you using your time in this world well? Are we here to devote ourselves to the political issues of the day? I mean, keep informed and vote or make an intelligent decision to abstain from voting, but that shouldn't be all-encompassing. That's madness!
Who's buying all the drugs that keep the cartels going ?
Tcrosse, I agree that's the real issue. The 'demand' side will always dictate the supply. Round up the drug addicts and put them in rehabilitation camps. This is one area I'd like to see the government take some positive action. IMO, this problem is a bigger danger to our country than terrorism.
We're all Bozos on this Gustibus.
Stephen Cooper: IMO, J. Vernon McGee's series is the best radio program ever on the air. Our local station still runs it every weekday morning and it's available online, too. A great teacher.
The darling intellectual of the far alt trum[p right Jordan Peterson agrees, saying ideology is a parasite: "It provides a one-size fits all answer to every question."
"Blogger tcrosse said...
We're all Bozos on this Gustibus." Squeeze it , many people do.
Most socialist nations need to prevent their citizens from emigrating. Perhaps Mexico will build the El Paso Wall and prevent mexicans from leaving the peoples paradise.
Jordan Peterson on what it means to be Ideologically Possessed. You can predict absolutely everything they are going to say. It alleviates the need for thinking.
Blogger mockturtle said...
Who's buying all the drugs that keep the cartels going ?
Tcrosse, I agree that's the real issue. The 'demand' side will always dictate the supply. Round up the drug addicts and put them in rehabilitation camps. This is one area I'd like to see the government take some positive action. IMO, this problem is a bigger danger to our country than terrorism.
Yeah, more drug war. It's not the demand, it's the rent seeking from prohibition induced scarcity.
Forgot the Chuck tag.
"'Does it really matter who is elected? The country is run by drug cartels.'
"Who's buying all the drugs that keep the cartels going?"
Americans.
"IMO, this problem is a bigger danger to our country than terrorism."
There are many dangers to our country greater than terrorism, which has always been a minor threat. This is the reason we're remaking Russia into our great enemy again. The powers that be realize the American public isn't buying "terrorism" as the
"existential threat" justification they need to keep on with our endless wars and expansion of the military budget. Fear of the "great enemy" is the club they use to beat the public into fearful acquiescence to their theft of our money for their profit- and power-seeking war endeavors. Terrorism is barely a billy club; Russia as the Great Satan reborn is a two-by-four...with nails sticking out of it!
Thanks for posting the two additional Albright pictures. They show that he is that rare artist: truly one of a kind.
I wonder what Bill Clinton's portrait would look like.
Kierkegaard discusses somewhere, I forget where, how true innocence is its own best defense against vice.
"You can't cheat an honest man"
- WC Fields
Dorian Gray's painting reveal in Penny Dreadful is good, too. The reveal is at the 2:00 mark, but watch the whole thing. https://tinyurl.com/jmbo8cb
A lifetime of indulgence and depravity is more often reflected in the waistline and the urinary tract rather than the face.
OBAT BIUS CHOROFORM DI BOGOR
OBAT BIUS CHLOROPHYLL DI BOGOR
OBAT LIQUID SEX DI BOGOR
OBAT BIUS TRIVAM DI BOGOR
OBAT SLEEPING BEAUTY DI BOGOR
We believe in the motto ”learn and develop while playing”.Your tiny tots get the learning experience with creative and playway of coaching. Located in Chennai we are the best school in Perambur and Best school in Vyasarpadi. It is always good to read some great article like this, thank you so much for the post. Please do help me suggest
The Best School in Perambur
The Best School in Vyasarpadi
The Best School in Moolakadai
Post a Comment