Oscar Wilde wrote "The Picture of Dorian Gray," first published in 1890. The novel explores themes of aestheticism, moral duplicity, and the nature of beauty through the story of a young man named Dorian Gray, who remains youthful while a portrait of him ages and reflects his moral decay. Wilde’s only novel delves into philosophical debates about the consequences of a hedonistic lifestyle and the pursuit of pleasure devoid of responsibility. Its provocative narrative and rich character development have solidified its status as a classic of English literature and a significant commentary on Victorian society.