In The News

Paris grave of Oscar Wilde is unveiled following renovation

Paris grave of Oscar Wilde is unveiled following renovation

THE grave of Oscar Wilde has been unveiled after being renovated at a cemetey in Paris.

Stonework on the grave, which is in the Pere Lachaise Cemetery, had become damaged over the years because of many visitors leaving lipsticked kisses. Experts said the lipstick had penetrated the stonework causing the damage.

The Irish Government paid for the renovation work on the grave, which was designed by the modernist sculptor Jacob Epstein (see below).

A glass barrier has now been erected round the grave in a bid to prevent people from being able to kiss the stonework. 

The writer had died penniless in Paris in 1900 aged just 46. 

He was originally buried outside Paris but friends then raised enough money to move his remains to Pere Lacaise Cemetery. 

Among those who attended the unveiling of the renovated grave were Wilde’s grandson Merlin Holland and the actor Rupert Everett.

To view Oscar Wilde’s grave before the recent renovation click here.

 

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