BEYOND WILDE

A cross between a young Jose Ferrer
and the guy from Pilot (pop group) –
both born to a later era –
he affected a pose
which somehow carried a fusion
of irritation and curiosity;
the old city providing
an intense background
which had to be toned
to obfuscation
so as not to overpower
the subject.

Less than accomplished
with the way material folded,
and uninterested
in anatomical anomalies
the artist layered precision
and depth onto the face.

Few have ever seen
the original Dorian Gray.