Intentions

Published in 1891, 'Intentions' is a collection of essays by Oscar Wilde that examines the interplay between art, beauty, and morality. As a prominent figure in the English Aesthetic movement, Wilde argues for 'art for art's sake' and critiques the realism of his contemporaries, such as Henry James and Emile Zola. The essays include discussions on the nature of lies in art, the role of the critic as an artist, and the significance of aesthetic experience, all delivered with Wilde's characteristic wit and style. Notably, the collection features 'Pen, Pencil, and Poison,' a biographical piece on the life of the murderer and art critic Thomas Griffiths Wainewright.