# Basil Hallward — The Picture of Dorian Gray character guide > Basil Hallward in The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Basil, Hallward, poor Basil **First appearance:** 0001-the-picture-of-dorian-gray ## Snapshot A painter who pours his whole soul into one portrait and then watches, helpless, as the subject walks away with it. ## Who they are Basil is the artist whose devotion to Dorian's beauty produces the painting at the heart of the book. He worships Dorian with a reverence he can barely admit aloud, and he fears the world will see too much of himself in the finished work. When Dorian forbids him to look at his own canvas, Basil's bewilderment marks the first crack in their bond — and the first sign that the portrait has become something other than art. ## Relationships ### [Dorian Gray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/dorian_gray) _psychological_ Basil is obsessively devoted to Dorian, both as an artistic muse and as a friend, but Dorian's cruelty ultimately destroys him. ### [Lord Henry Wotton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/lord_henry_wotton) _rivalry_ Basil disapproves of Lord Henry's corrupting influence on Dorian, creating a tense ideological conflict between them. ### [Lady Narborough](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/lady_narborough) _social_ They move in the same aristocratic circles, but Basil is less enamored with her superficial world than Lord Henry. ### [Sibyl Vane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/sibyl_vane) _social_ Basil meets Sibyl briefly and recognizes her talent, but his concern is primarily for Dorian's moral well-being. ### [Dorian Gray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/dorian_gray) _psychological_ Basil is obsessively devoted to Dorian, both as an artistic muse and as a friend, but Dorian's cruelty ultimately destroys him. ### [Lord Henry Wotton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/lord_henry_wotton) _rivalry_ Basil disapproves of Lord Henry's corrupting influence on Dorian, creating a tense ideological conflict between them. ### [Dorian Gray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/dorian_gray) _psychological_ Basil is obsessively devoted to Dorian, both as an artistic muse and as a friend, but Dorian's cruelty ultimately destroys him. ### [Lord Henry Wotton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/lord_henry_wotton) _rivalry_ Basil disapproves of Lord Henry's corrupting influence on Dorian, creating a tense ideological conflict between them. ### [Lady Narborough](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/lady_narborough) _social_ They move in the same aristocratic circles, but Basil is less enamored with her superficial world than Lord Henry. ### [Lady Narborough](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/lady_narborough) _social_ They move in the same aristocratic circles, but Basil is less enamored with her superficial world than Lord Henry. ### [Sibyl Vane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/sibyl_vane) _social_ Basil meets Sibyl briefly and recognizes her talent, but his concern is primarily for Dorian's moral well-being. ### [Sibyl Vane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/sibyl_vane) _social_ Basil meets Sibyl briefly and recognizes her talent, but his concern is primarily for Dorian's moral well-being. ## In the story ### [The Picture of Dorian Gray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/the-picture-of-dorian-gray) The artist who paints Dorian's portrait and becomes infatuated with his subject. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/i) Confesses his artistic idolatry of Dorian Gray and his fear of revealing his soul through the portrait. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/ii) Finishes the portrait and is disturbed by Dorian's sudden change in demeanor; tries to protect Dorian from Lord Henry's influence. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/iv) Basil is mentioned as having sent Dorian the portrait in a special frame. Dorian finds Basil's good advice annoying and considers him a bit of a Philistine. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/vi) Shocked and disapproving of Dorian's engagement, worries about Dorian's future and feels a sense of loss. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/vii) Basil defends Sibyl's worth and supports Dorian's marriage, contrasting with Lord Henry's cynicism. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/ix) Confesses his deep admiration and idolatry for Dorian, is denied access to his own painting, and is shocked by Dorian's vehement reaction. ### [The Hiding of the Portrait](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/x) Referenced as the painter of the portrait; Dorian recalls Basil's reproaches about Sibyl Vane. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/xi) His portrait of Dorian is the object of Dorian's secret visits; Dorian recalls that Basil was fascinated by his beauty. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/xii) Confronts Dorian about the scandals surrounding him, seeking answers. ### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/xiii) Confronts Dorian about the portrait, is horrified by its corruption, and is murdered by Dorian. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/xiv) The murdered artist; his body remains in the locked room, and his presence looms over the chapter. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/xv) Referenced indirectly through Dorian's burning of his coat and bag. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/xvi) Dorian's memory of Basil's eyes haunts him, recalling Basil's accusations. ### [Chapter XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/xix) Referenced in passing as the subject of ongoing town gossip about his disappearance. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/xx) Dorian thinks of Basil's murder and the portrait Basil painted, which he blames for his ruin. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/basil_hallward - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters