OSC AR ON A ROCK
OSCAR ON A ROCK [MERRION SQUARE JUNE 2025]
My camera dealership recently offered me the loan of a Sony A7RV, as the Sony A1 II that I paid for before Christmas 2024 has yet to arrive. To make matters worse, the dealership is only expecting to receive one or two units each month for the foreseeable future.
The A7RV is quite different from my old A7RIV, which is no longer functional. I needed to familiarise myself with the new body and thought a visit to Merrion Square would be an ideal opportunity. In contrast to the rest of the city centre, which was unusually busy, the park was a peaceful and relaxing escape.
While there, I took the opportunity to photograph the memorial to Oscar Wilde. I am not entirely satisfied with the resulting images, as I struggled with the camera settings and my inexperience with the Sony FE 28-70mm F2 lens. Most of the photographs were underexposed, although I suspect this may be a Lightroom issue that I need to investigate further.
The Oscar Wilde Memorial, Merrion Square
Positioned in the northwest corner of Merrion Square, directly opposite his childhood home at No. 1, the Oscar Wilde Memorial is a unique and popular Dublin landmark. Created by the artist Danny Osborne and unveiled in 1997, the sculpture is renowned for its vibrant use of materials and rich symbolism.
The Sculptures
The memorial consists of three distinct figures:
Oscar Wilde: The centrepiece is a larger-than-life statue of Wilde, reclining playfully on a large quartz boulder. The sculpture is famous for its use of colourful, semi-precious stones. His smoking jacket is carved from green nephrite jade, the collar and cuffs from pink thulite, and his trousers from a shimmering blue pearl granite.
Accompanying Figures: Wilde is flanked by two smaller bronze statues on pillars. One is a nude male torso representing Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and revelry, symbolising Wilde's flamboyant and celebratory side. The other is a small, solemn female figure representing his wife, Constance Lloyd, capturing the more tragic aspects of his life.
Symbolism in the Materials
The materials chosen by the artist, Danny Osborne, are integral to the memorial's meaning:
The Quartz Boulder: Sourced from the Wicklow Mountains, the 35-tonne quartz boulder serves multiple purposes. It elevates Wilde, giving him prominence, while its raw, natural form contrasts with the polished sculpture, perhaps alluding to the untamed aspects of Wilde's character and his connection to the Irish landscape.
Coloured Stones: The vibrant stones reflect Wilde's famous wit and flamboyant personality.
Green Nephrite Jade (Jacket): Associated with wisdom and serenity.
Pink Thulite (Collar): Linked to creativity, passion, and expression.
Blue Pearl Granite (Trousers): Suggests stability and strength.
Bronze: The use of bronze for the flanking statues connects the work to the classical traditions of ancient Greece and Rome, which Wilde admired. Its durability also mirrors the enduring legacy of Wilde's work and life story.
A Significant Location
The placement of the memorial in Merrion Square is deeply significant. It serves as a symbolic homecoming for the writer, placing him forever in view of the house where he spent his formative years.
A Major Tourist Attraction
The Oscar Wilde Memorial is a cherished destination for both tourists and locals. Its appeal lies in:
Wilde's Legacy: As one of Ireland's most celebrated literary figures, Wilde's wit and works, including The Picture of Dorian Gray, continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
Unique Artistry: The striking combination of coloured stones and bronze in a public park setting is visually compelling and highly unusual.
Accessibility: Its location in a public park makes it easily accessible to anyone exploring Dublin's city centre.
Interactive Experience: The sculpture's relaxed and playful nature invites visitors to interact with it, making it a popular spot for photographs.
My camera dealership recently offered me the loan of a Sony A7RV, as the Sony A1 II that I paid for before Christmas 2024 has yet to arrive. To make matters worse, the dealership is only expecting to receive one or two units each month for the foreseeable future.
The A7RV is quite different from my old A7RIV, which is no longer functional. I needed to familiarise myself with the new body and thought a visit to Merrion Square would be an ideal opportunity. In contrast to the rest of the city centre, which was unusually busy, the park was a peaceful and relaxing escape.
While there, I took the opportunity to photograph the memorial to Oscar Wilde. I am not entirely satisfied with the resulting images, as I struggled with the camera settings and my inexperience with the Sony FE 28-70mm F2 lens. Most of the photographs were underexposed, although I suspect this may be a Lightroom issue that I need to investigate further.
The Oscar Wilde Memorial, Merrion Square
Positioned in the northwest corner of Merrion Square, directly opposite his childhood home at No. 1, the Oscar Wilde Memorial is a unique and popular Dublin landmark. Created by the artist Danny Osborne and unveiled in 1997, the sculpture is renowned for its vibrant use of materials and rich symbolism.
The Sculptures
The memorial consists of three distinct figures:
Oscar Wilde: The centrepiece is a larger-than-life statue of Wilde, reclining playfully on a large quartz boulder. The sculpture is famous for its use of colourful, semi-precious stones. His smoking jacket is carved from green nephrite jade, the collar and cuffs from pink thulite, and his trousers from a shimmering blue pearl granite.
Accompanying Figures: Wilde is flanked by two smaller bronze statues on pillars. One is a nude male torso representing Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and revelry, symbolising Wilde's flamboyant and celebratory side. The other is a small, solemn female figure representing his wife, Constance Lloyd, capturing the more tragic aspects of his life.
Symbolism in the Materials
The materials chosen by the artist, Danny Osborne, are integral to the memorial's meaning:
The Quartz Boulder: Sourced from the Wicklow Mountains, the 35-tonne quartz boulder serves multiple purposes. It elevates Wilde, giving him prominence, while its raw, natural form contrasts with the polished sculpture, perhaps alluding to the untamed aspects of Wilde's character and his connection to the Irish landscape.
Coloured Stones: The vibrant stones reflect Wilde's famous wit and flamboyant personality.
Green Nephrite Jade (Jacket): Associated with wisdom and serenity.
Pink Thulite (Collar): Linked to creativity, passion, and expression.
Blue Pearl Granite (Trousers): Suggests stability and strength.
Bronze: The use of bronze for the flanking statues connects the work to the classical traditions of ancient Greece and Rome, which Wilde admired. Its durability also mirrors the enduring legacy of Wilde's work and life story.
A Significant Location
The placement of the memorial in Merrion Square is deeply significant. It serves as a symbolic homecoming for the writer, placing him forever in view of the house where he spent his formative years.
A Major Tourist Attraction
The Oscar Wilde Memorial is a cherished destination for both tourists and locals. Its appeal lies in:
Wilde's Legacy: As one of Ireland's most celebrated literary figures, Wilde's wit and works, including The Picture of Dorian Gray, continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
Unique Artistry: The striking combination of coloured stones and bronze in a public park setting is visually compelling and highly unusual.
Accessibility: Its location in a public park makes it easily accessible to anyone exploring Dublin's city centre.
Interactive Experience: The sculpture's relaxed and playful nature invites visitors to interact with it, making it a popular spot for photographs.