The Picture of Dorian Gray

I borrowed the Oscar Wilde classic, "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and it absolutely amused me. The book signifies the controversy of the time but I can help but get lost in the description of art and how it is viewed.
By the artist the piece is his soul, bare and naked; but for the subject, Dorian Gray, who in the book possesses the piece, the portrait has become his real identify, which by him seem quite unrealized. He seems to think that his personality is when he reflects the views of his fellows that are Lord Henry and Basil.
Dorian thus has three identities. The life of Basil the painter who as any artist loves the superficial: the beauty of things; and the harsh and cynical life of Lord Henry, who has greatly influenced Dorian's views, or outright replaced them. And the real Dorian in the painting, who changes expressions as his conscience is stirred.
When he looks at the painting he sees his true self, that the artist so cleverly captured.
The portrait haunts him and it seems he can't stand the person looking back at him. Dorian refuses to let anyone else see the portrait because he is convinced the painting reveals his darkest secrets as the artist believe he has revealed too much of his soul in his best work ever.
It is amazing because it is brilliantly explained what great artists can accomplish. Perfected art reflect the viewer and the pieces become alive. It is truly passion in the creator the media and the viewer that creates the magic of art.