This volume brings together a diverse assortment of Wilde's uncollected prose, ranging from early reviews of the Grosvenor Gallery to lectures on art, dress reform, and the writings of his contemporaries. The editor, Robert Ross, assembled these pieces to provide a comprehensive view of Wilde's intellectual development and literary output beyond his famous plays and fiction.
The text opens with a critical examination of historical criticism and early essays that showcase Wilde's classical scholarship at Oxford. His reflections on art criticism offer a fascinating window into the aesthetic movement, detailing exhibitions featuring Burne-Jones, Watts, and Whistler, while articulating the core principle of art for art's sake.
Throughout the collection, Wilde addresses the relationship between art and morality, vehemently defending the autonomy of the creative imagination against Victorian prudery. His essays on dress reform argue for health, comfort, and freedom of movement, drawing inspiration from classical Greek principles rather than the dictates of fashionable millinery.
The volume also includes warm personal tributes, such as his essay on the tomb of Keats in Rome, alongside sharper polemics, including his public spats with Whistler over originality and plagiarism. Later sections feature his witty observations on American society, theatre reviews, and prefaces written for fellow poets of the romantic movement.
Ross's introduction provides valuable context regarding the provenance of the manuscripts, acknowledging the loss of several works during Wilde's trials while striving for absolute completeness. The collection ultimately stands as a testament to Wilde's enduring influence as a critic and humanist, preserving the sharp intellect and distinctive voice of a master stylist.
