The tomb of Oscar Wilde at Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris has been renovated and surrounded by a protective glass screen after it was damaged by fans' lipstick kisses.
Oscar Wilde's grave saved from kisses —
The tomb of Oscar Wilde at Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris has been renovated and surrounded by a protective glass screen after it was damaged by fans' lipstick kisses.
Irish-born author Oscar Wilde was buried in a pauper's grave when he died, bankrupt, in Paris in 1900. His body was later moved to Pere Lachaise, and his tomb marked with a memorial by sculptor Jacob Epstein.
Oscar Wilde's grave saved from kisses —
Irish-born author Oscar Wilde was buried in a pauper's grave when he died, bankrupt, in Paris in 1900. His body was later moved to Pere Lachaise, and his tomb marked with a memorial by sculptor Jacob Epstein.
The monument, in the shape of a flying Assyrian-style angel, has been damaged over the years by grafitti -- and by someone who chopped off its genitals in the early 1960s.
Oscar Wilde's grave saved from kisses —
The monument, in the shape of a flying Assyrian-style angel, has been damaged over the years by grafitti -- and by someone who chopped off its genitals in the early 1960s.
Beatrice Dubarry/Irish Cultural Centre
After it was given 'listed' status in 1995, the amount of grafitti on the memorial reduced, but instead fans took to kissing the stone. Grease in the lipstick caused serious damage.
Oscar Wilde's grave saved from kisses —
After it was given 'listed' status in 1995, the amount of grafitti on the memorial reduced, but instead fans took to kissing the stone. Grease in the lipstick caused serious damage.
The tomb has now been painstakingly cleaned and restored, and a screen erected around it to protect it from fans' attentions.
Oscar Wilde's grave saved from kisses —
The tomb has now been painstakingly cleaned and restored, and a screen erected around it to protect it from fans' attentions.
Actor Rupert Everett and Oscar Wilde's grandson, Merlin Holland, attended the unveiling ceremony on November 30, 2011 -- the 111th anniversary of Wilde's death.
Oscar Wilde's grave saved from kisses —
Actor Rupert Everett and Oscar Wilde's grandson, Merlin Holland, attended the unveiling ceremony on November 30, 2011 -- the 111th anniversary of Wilde's death.