Description:

Oscar Wilde AQS Re: Satire, Genius & Mediocrity

An autograph quote signed by Irish author Oscar Wilde (1854-1900). Wilde has inscribed: "Satire is the homage / which mediocrity pays / to genius. / Oscar Wilde / New York. / May 7th. / '82" on a fragment of cream laid watermarked paper. Expected flattened paper folds. Minor mounting traces and a piece of tape are found verso; the tape does not correspond to any breaks recto and serves an unknown purpose. Lightly pencil inscribed with a museum accession in the lower right corner. Else near fine. 6.5" x 7.75." Property of the Chrysler Museum of Art, Sold to Benefit Museum Acquisitions. Formerly a Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. (1909-1988). Accompanied by a photocopy of the original museum paperwork.

Wilde's above quote, "Satire is the homage which mediocrity pays to genius" has also appeared in slightly different ways, as "Satire was the tribute mediocrity paid to genius" and "Ridicule is the tribute paid to the genius by mediocrities." The historic interpretation of this quote is that people of mediocre intelligence attempt to undercut and trivialize genius through the means of satire.

On the face of it, this is a surprising statement coming from Wilde, whose 1894 play "The Importance of Being Earnest" is considered a satirical masterpiece. Yet as Sylvius L'épouvanté suggests in his article "Why Would Oscar Wilde Object to Ridicule," Wilde did not condemn the use of satire wholesale; he only objected when it was used unjustly or to negative effect. L'épouvanté points to Wilde's use of a similar statement, "satire…paid them that usual homage which mediocrity pays to genius," which appeared in the writer's defense of Pre-Raphaelite artists published posthumously in Wilde's "Essays and Lectures" (1908). In that example, Wilde bitterly objected to satire because it distracted and prevented the public from appreciating the true beauty produced by the artistic genius.

Wilde penned this autograph quote signed in New York City on May 7, 1882, in the middle of an 11-month-long lecture tour of North America (January - November 1882.) Wilde had been invited on the tour by Richard D'Oyly Carte, a British talent agent. Wilde, considered the enfant terrible of the Aesthetic Movement, was to speak on a variety of topics such as "The English Renaissance," "The Decorative Arts," "House Beautiful," and "The Relation of Arts to Other Studies." Wilde traveled extensively throughout the United States, traveling as far west as California, and throughout the Midwest, Deep South, and along the Eastern seaboard. In Canada, Wilde toured Ontario and the Canadian Maritimes.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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