Monday, March 10, 2008

one's own nature


“The aim of life is self-development. To realize one's nature perfectly—that is what each of us is here for.”

- Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish playwright, novelist, poet

The photograph of Oscar Wilde was made in New York by Napoleon Sarony, a popular portrait photographer best known for his portraits of American theater stars of late 1800s. Taken in 1882, it is said to be of Wilde wearing his favorite coat, and I must say, it is a wonderful portrait of the razor-witted Wilde. Everyone should have a photograph taken of themselves wearing their favorite coat.

2 comments:

BriteCloud said...

If my husband were to have a portrait made in the winter, it would be with his leather coat on. He has this habit of never taking it off. He loves his coat! He wears it in the house, all day at work, etc. On long nights he's even been known to sleep in it. YES, it's true! This year he got a new, long wool dress coat. It reminded me of The Matrix, only not as long as their coats.

Stephen Lyn Bales said...

britecloud! yes, there's something about a favorite coat, make sure to get a photograph of him in it. I have an L.L. Bean khaki coat from the early 1980s (a Christmas present from my sister and brother-in-law) that is horribly out of fashion now but I still get it out every once and awhile and look at it fondly.