Within the Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, there are themes and motifs/attributes and allusions that are aimed at Victorian society through the use and significant stereotypes and realizations about Aestheticism within this time period. In Curzon street and in Mall Pall, there are accounts and descriptions of these places that relate to the book and the actions/what takes place along the streets according to the plot of the novel.

Curzon street lies among the city of Westminster and runs from park lane to Berkeley Square. It is home to many people who are rich in status and live among that street living a high life of pristine and elegance.  In the picture of Dorian Gray, Lord Henry walks down that street to visit his uncle. His uncle is described as “an old bachelor whom the outside world called selfish because it derived no particular benefit from him, but who was considered generous by Society as he fed the people who amused him” (Chapter III). It shows (although the street is only mentioned that one time) that the rich people living on this street think very highly of themselves, and much like Lord Henry and his uncle, most likely think poorly of the impoverished citizens that reside in the East end of London. It goes to show how this reveals the inherent nature of Lord Henry and how his influence over Dorian will soon be completely corrupted by the false image of “beauty” that in turn will reveal Dorian’s inner “ugliness” later on in the novel. Furthermore, the essence and  essential notion that beauty plays for Dorian Gray will be an intricate plot point revealing the theme of the novel, as the gray area dividing both the “East and West” ends of London and the “beauty and ugliness” of Dorian will go hand in hand. Thus, showing an intricate relationship between the individual and the society in which they live and how they influence each other.

In the Old Bailey online archive, there are many reports of what it turns out to be a high number of robbery of theft. the accounts are of rich people condemning poor people of stealing household items such as silverware, and selling them to make money (or possibly using them to eat, Because that is what silverware is for). Some of the accounts relay a vast number of religious themes as many of the rich people called the peasants “unchristian” or any other term saying they were abominations in the eyes of God, thus showing the importance of adhering to a religious belief that could be favored in the eyes of the country (Christianity). This archive shows that for Dorian Gray, the importance of religion shows a sort of high standard of living and a specific amount of intelligence and grace that can be seen as a form of art. This would allure to Dorian and his obsession with elegance and artistic things, as well as Basil and Lord Henry’s obsession with Dorian Gray.

 this map on the Charles Booth Poverty Map shows what is stated above: it is predominantly upper middle class and wealthy citizens that live along this street, which has also been known to be visited by many famous people of whom are of Lordship or any high standing label. The citizens of the middle class color (pink) and the citizens of high middle class (red) are the ones who were most likely to cause the chaos and rob people along this street leading for the accounts in the Old bailey archive to label these important people as “unchristian” or barbaric due to their upheld standing as a wealthier citizen of London.

Therefore it can be deduced that this street has a huge effect upon Dorian Gray based upon the high class and wealthy citizens that live along that street, whom also show a high quality obsession with elegance and aesthetic things much like Dorian himself, thus showing that the society in which one lives, and the attributes and lifestyles of said culture, can shape and influence a person into whatever that society sees as “valuable”. This is evident among the plot and course of Dorian Gray.

Works Cited:

“Booth Poverty Map & Modern Map (Charles Booth Online Archive).” Booth Poverty Map & Modern Map (Charles Booth Online Archive). N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015.

“The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891)/Chapter 3.” – Wikisource, the Free Online Library. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015

“The Proceedings of the Old Bailey.” Browse. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2015

The Grosvenor Gallery

The Grosvenor Gallery is mentioned only once in The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. However, the history on the building is plentiful. It is referred to in the first chapter of the book by Lord Henry. Lord Henry enters the studio where Basil is admiring his greatest work on an easel and says,

“It is your best work, Basil, the best thing you have ever done,” said Lord Henry languidly. “You must certainly send it next year to the Grosvenor. The Academy is too large and too vulgar. Whenever I have gone there, there have been either so many people that I have not been able to see the pictures, which was dreadful, or so many pictures that I have not been able to see the people, which was worse. The Grosvenor is really the only place.”

(Plate 35: No. 19 Grosvenor Square, Gallery, staircase and stables in 1919).

Lord Henry is referring to The Royal Academy of Arts or Burlington House in Piccadilly, London when he says “The Academy.” According to Lord Henry, The Grosvenor Gallery is better suited to display the painting of Dorian by Basil. This is very important to the theme of the book of how art is displayed. Dorian believes artwork, including people, should be appropriately displayed. He believes Sibyl Vane is a work of art in human form and should be displayed as his wife (until he discovers she can no longer act). He also believes Shakespearian works should not be shown in an unworthy theater, such as The Royal Theater, where Sibyl performs.

“I must admit that I was rather annoyed at the idea of seeing Shakespeare done in such a wretched hole of a place” (Chapter 5).

Lord Henry believes that Basil’s painting of Dorian should be displayed in the Grosvenor Gallery where people who will truly appreciate it would see it.

The Grosvenor Gallery was founded by Sir Coutts Lindsay and his wife, Lady Blanche Lindsay as an alternative venue to view art to The Royal Academy. The gallery displayed the work of progressive artists who’s work was ignored due to its lack of adherence to traditional tastes. “The Lindsays’ innovative approach to art, audiences, and exhibition display made the gallery an influential force not only in Victorian art and society but also in the evolution of modern-day museum practice” (Yale University Press).

Previously occupied by Lord Grosvenor until June of 1808, The Grosvenor House was “thrown open to the ‘Fashionable world’” (Old Grosvenor House). The gallery was home to an eclectic collection of art described by The Morning Post as such;

“‘truly magnificent’ chandeliers and Grecian lamps, the vast and beautiful mirrors, the grand staircase, ‘superbly illuminated’ and ‘adorned with the most rare specimens in the art of sculpture’, and the richly gilded ornamental ceilings and cornices…Not everybody was enthusiastic however: Lord Lonsdale, who visited the house in the company of the architect Robert Smirke, found it ‘most expensively furnished, but in a bad taste'”(Old Grosvenor House).

The gallery provided a space for a collection of atypical works of art. It showcased aesthetic art otherwise dismissed by 19th century British standards. It began as a display room for a collection of beautiful things. Similar to Dorian’s aim in life, the gallery was a home for all things pleasing.

Works cited

‘Old Grosvenor House.’ Survey of London: Volume 40, the Grosvenor Estate in Mayfair, Part 2 (The Buildings). Ed. F H W Sheppard. London: London County Council, 1980. 239-250. British History Online. Web. 15 December 2015.

‘Plate 35: No. 19 Grosvenor Square, Gallery, staircase and stables in 1919.’ Survey of London: Volume 40, the Grosvenor Estate in Mayfair, Part 2 (The Buildings). Ed. F H W Sheppard. London: London County Council, 1980. British History Online. Web. 17 December 2015.
“The Grosvenor Gallery: A Palace of Art in Victorian London.” New Haven: Yale University Press, 1996. Print.

Wilde, Oscar. “The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891)/Chapter 1.” Wikisource, the Free Online Library. N.p., n.d. Web.10 Dec. 2015.

In Amy Levy’s Romance of a Shop, New Street is briefly mentioned by Phyllis as she, Conny, and Gertrude travel to their new home on Upper Baker Street. “‘What number did you say, Gertrude?’ asked Phyllis, as the carriage turned into New Street, from Gloucester Place” (Levy 75). It’s purpose is minimal, serving as a transitional landmark as the sisters approach their new home on Upper Baker Street. In the footnotes of the text, it is even mentioned, “…. New Street runs eastward into Upper Baker Street” (Levy 75).

Here is a view of it on the Victorian map:

And here is a map of it on the Charles Booth Online Archive:

Now in comparison to Campden Hill, which was filled with red and yellow indicating that it was a pretty well off area. In comparison, the areas all around New Street are a mixture of light and dark blues, indicating a poorer status. In addition to being a transitional setting from Campden Hill to Upper Baker Street, New Street also serves as a transition in surroundings. The Lorimer sisters used to live in an area very well off, and now are traveling into London, passing on this street, which seems to be of the poorer population.

It was hard to locate crimes on Old Bailey as it wasn’t specifically taking New Street, but all the streets in London into account. However I seem to have found some results and the most crimes committed on New Street include burglary, royal offences, and grand larceny (Old Bailey).

Works Cited:

Amy Levy. Romance of a Shop. N.p., 1888. Print.

“Map of New Street.” Charles Booth Online Archive. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2015. http://booth.lse.ac.uk/cgi-bin/do.pl?sub=view_booth_and_barth&args=533267,181456,1,large,0

“The Proceedings of the Old Bailey.” London History. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2015. <http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/static/London-life19th.jsp>.

The address of 152 Hertford Street does not exist. However Hertford Street is a real street in London, which originated during the building boom in 1760’s and is believed to be named after Hertford Arms which was an Inn and is no longer in operation. Hertford Street is home to Buckingham Palace and is known to be the high end area of London. The people who lived on Hertford Street were either well off or famous as we can see from the Booth Poverty Map. The crimes committed in the area are minimal such as theft (History of the area, n.d.).

                                                                                 Charles Booth Poverty Map

This address is that of Alan Campbell, a young chemist that Dorian Gray has called for. His character is mentioned only briefly and then never to be mentioned again. However because of his part in the novel he is not forgotten. He looked up his name in the book. He was curious if he would come as he seemed a dark part of his past. Dorian calls him to dispose of Basil’s body after he has killed him. He refuses to do so at first but Dorian threatens him to expose him if he did not do what he asked. He reluctantly sends a servant to get the materials he needs to dispose of the body.

Alan Campbell lived in the apartment building and was a single guy. He seemed dependent on Dorian Gray even though he did not want to do his dirty deed for him. He had a hard time letting go of the past. In the novel Gray seemed to go after the younger men in an attempt to savor his youth. The painting aged him so much that he wanted to savor any part that he could.  After Alan Campbell did away with the body Gray made him, he also committed suicide. Maybe his aesthetic lifestyle is just a show and he is a fraud.

                                                                           Hertford Street Victorian London

Works cited:

History of the area. (n.d.). Retrieved December 12, 2015, from http://www.hertford-street.co.uk/history-area

“Charles Booth Online Archive.” Charles Booth Online Archive. Web. 16 Dec. 2015.

“Booth Poverty Map & Modern Map (Charles Booth Online Archive).” N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2015.

New Bond Street

While researching New Bond Street, I noticed on the map the street is divided into two sections; New Bond Street and Old Bond Street. It is a wealthy section of London with many top of the line stores. Charles Booth Online Archive the crimes in the area were minimal with pick pocketing, theft and the like.  From looking at the Booth Poverty Maps I can tell there are mainly wealthy to middle class living in the area which is a good indication why there are such few crimes.

In the novel Portrait of Dorian Gray, Bond Street is where Dorian Gray is looking for a hansom to give him a ride. Before he gets to Bond Street he is out of sorts when Lord Henry questions him about his whereabouts the previous night, He gets nervous because he killed Basil the night before. His guilty conscience gets the best of him and makes him not know what direction to turn. He goes home and burns Basil’s belongings that he hid in the wall and soon goes off to New Bond Street. Once he gets there he calls for a “hansom with a good horse” (The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1891). He asked him for a ride, but when he whispers he address to him he says it is too far to travel. Dorian offers him monetary compensation and he agrees to take him there. He told the driver there will be more if he hurries to which he tells him they will be there in an hour.

In Victorian London New Bond Street was known for art, as it had many high end art dealers and is located so close to the Royal Academy of Arts. This location connects to the art theme in the story. Dorian was a symbol of beauty, and beauty was a symbol of art. It also is significant that art was a reflection of moral compass. Dorian’s portrait that Basil painted of him ended up being his demise because his immoral acts were reflected in the painting. Basil wanted to display his portrait at the art gallery, perhaps it was the one on this road. Dorian goes between good and evil and high and low class during the novel. On New Bond Street he is currently in the high class area, but is headed to the low class to the opium den to calm his nerves. This is almost as a turning point in Grays character. He goes to a super ritzy neighborhood to get a cab to the poor area. (Revolutionary road – FT.com)

New Bond Street was an elegant premier shopping area of London. It had all of the high end stores and mostly the rich were found there. After all these years it has not lost its glam and still remains the shopping choice for many. The pictures below are Victorian London New Bond Street and modern day New Bond Street on the right. Both look beautiful and it is clear to see why it is known for the best shopping.

References:

The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891). (n.d.). Retrieved December 12, 2015, from https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Picture_of_Dorian_Gray_(1891)

Revolutionary road – FT.com. (n.d.). Retrieved December 12, 2015, from http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b01d5034-675a-11e5-97d0-1456a776a4f5.html