The Picture of Dorian Gray is the tale of a beautiful young man, whose friend, Basil, paints a portrait of him. Dorian wishes aloud that his picture could age while he remains forever young. His wish comes true, and Dorian lives a life of self-indulgent pleasure and sin but remains physically youthful and beautiful, while the face on his hidden portrait ages hideously and increasingly reflects the evil that is growing in his soul.