A Portrait for Henry
'Don't you like it?' cried Basil at last, misunderstanding Dorian's silence.
'Of course he likes it,' said Henry, 'Who wouldn't like it? It is one of the greatest things in modern art. I will give you anything you ask for it, I must have it.'
Henry wanted the painting. He wanted it as he had wanted almost nothing else before. Almost.
Don't misunderstand, please. You're jumping to conclusions, I can tell. He did not want it because it was a great example of modern art. Nor did he want it because it was the image of the beautiful youth, Dorian Gray.
No, the only reason Lord Henry Wotton wanted the portrait was because Basil Hallward had made it.
It sounds foolish, and silly, and trite, doesn't it? But it's the pure and complete truth. Henry wanted the portrait because Basil has put his soul in its entirety into that painting, and Henry would have given anything, ANYTHING, to own that.
After all, a painting never shows what the artist painted, but rather the artist's soul.
Basil's soul shone from every line, every shadow in Dorian Gray's portrait. The sheen on light on the lad's hair, the perfect arrangement of light and dark, every fine little detail told of Basil's spirit; his purity, goodness, and strength.
Henry wanted that. And Henry Wotton was a man accustomed to getting what he wanted.
Author's note: So, what did you think? Reviews are adored. Also, do you think I should continue this? Or is it okay the way it is? Let me know!