The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde Innocent young Dorian Gray has his portrait painted by a close friend. Soon after, under the influence of amoral Lord Henry Wotton, he jilts his fiancee, leading to her suicide. This is the start of a life of increasing debauchery, Gray realising that the outward signs of this are apparent only in the portrait. Eventually the picture, secreted in his childhood playroom, becomes almost hideous to behold. But Gray still has one pure love - Gladys, daughter of the original painter.