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Jim Dine
Dorian Gray at Opium Den from "The Picture of Dorian Gray" surreal portrait

1968

About the Item

This surreal etching portrait of Dorian Gray by Jim Dine in blue ink features the literary protagonist dressed in a white suit. His face is obscured by a mass of hair, tangles of which seem to grow from the sleeves, pant legs, and from beneath the jacket. Dine's notes are written on the image: at his feet reading "WHITE BOOTS" and "White Vinyl Suit" alongside the jacket. On the left edge of the image handwritten text reads "DORIAN GRAY AT OPIUM DEN". In Oscar Wilde's novel Dorian Gray keeps opium in an ornate box in his home, and frequents sites of consumption on the East side of London: “There were opium dens where one could buy oblivion, dens of horror where the memory of old sins could be destroyed by the madness of sins that were new”. An opium den is where Sybil's brother James discovers Dorian. The brother attempts to capture the man he believes is responsible for the death of his sister. Dorian flees to his home, ultimately slashing the portrait that has kept him young for so long. Etching by Jim Dine from one of his most important artist’s books – completely designed and illustrated by Dine. Study for the Rings on Dorian Gray’s Hand from “The Picture of Dorian Gray”. Signed proof aside from Edition B (edition 200) and Edition C (edition 100). Signed with initials lower right in pencil. Dine was working on the sets and costumes for a stage version of Oscar Wilde’s famed novel, and when the play did not come to fruition, Petersburg Press proposed that he make a book using his annotated typescript of the play. Dine then drew 12 lithographs illustrating his costume and set designs which are included in the book and an additional 4 etchings, separate from the book, which are included loose in Editions A and C. Dine would go on to be a frequent Petersburg Press collaborator. Condition: Aging of paper tone commensurate with age, some small discolorations, and some wear to the edge of the paper, as photographed. Catalogue reference: Jim Dine: Complete Graphics with essay by John Russell, Galerie Mikro Berlin Kestner Gesellschaft Hannover Petersburg Press London 1970, 47g The book is in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London; Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland; Albright-Knox Museum, Buffalo; National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.; MoMA, New York; Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas, Austin
  • Creator:
    Jim Dine (1935, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1968
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)Width: 12 in (30.48 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Aging of paper tone commensurate with age, some small discolorations, and some wear to the edge of the paper, as photographed. This work is not previously owned and comes from the archives of the publisher.
  • Gallery Location:
    New York, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1211212698912
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