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gettyimages.comWilde's Controversial Monuments
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alexwanders
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Oscar Wilde, the renowned Irish playwright and poet, continues to spark controversy even in death, as evidenced by the ongoing debates surrounding the various monuments erected in his honor. From Jacob Epstein's scandalous tomb in Paris to Maggi Hambling's controversial sculpture in London, Wilde's memorials have often been met with mixed reactions, reflecting the complex legacy of the writer and the evolving attitudes towards his life and work.
Epstein's Scandalous Tomb Design
Jacob Epstein's tomb design for Oscar Wilde, commissioned in 1908 and completed in 1912, became a source of immediate controversy and scandal
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. The monument, installed in Paris's Père Lachaise Cemetery, featured a large, winged figure inspired by Wilde's poem "The Sphinx"3
. Its provocative design, which included prominent male genitalia, was deemed so scandalous that it was covered with a tarpaulin shortly after its unveiling3
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. This censorship echoed the public outrage Epstein had faced earlier with his Strand Statues in London, establishing a pattern of controversy that would follow much of his career1
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- The tomb's design was considered avant-garde and shocking for its time
- It sparked debates about artistic freedom and public morality
- The monument's genitalia were eventually vandalized and later removed
- Epstein's work on Wilde's tomb solidified his reputation as a provocative and boundary-pushing sculptor12
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Controversial Unveiling in London
A new sculpture of Oscar Wilde in London has sparked controversy, with the playwright's grandson, Merlin Holland, condemning it as "absolutely hideous"
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. The 2ft-high black bronze sculpture by Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, set to be unveiled in a public garden in Chelsea near Wilde's former home, depicts Wilde's head lying on its side with his face sliced into segments1
. Holland, an expert on Wilde's life and works, criticized the sculpture for failing to capture Wilde's wit and brilliance, arguing that its gloomy appearance is more likely to evoke thoughts of the writer's tragic end rather than the joy of his writing1
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- The sculpture is part of a commemoration for the centenary of Paolozzi's birth
- It is expected to be installed on Dovehouse Green within weeks
- Holland expressed concern that the sculpture portrays Wilde as "carved up and beheaded" rather than "amusing, entertaining, engaging"1
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Queer Memorial Aesthetics
Oscar Wilde's legacy as a queer icon has inspired numerous memorials that reflect the complex intersection of aestheticism and LGBTQ+ identity. The Oscar Wilde Temple at Studio Voltaire, designed by McDermott & McGough, stands as a powerful example of queer memorial aesthetics, offering a space for recognition and reflection
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. These memorials often incorporate symbols associated with Wilde's life and work, such as the green carnation, which became a covert emblem for queer men during his lifetime1
. The ongoing creation and interpretation of Wilde-inspired art and spaces demonstrates how his influence continues to shape queer aesthetics and cultural expression, serving as both a celebration of his artistry and a reminder of the historical struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals1
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