Oscar Wilde settles score with wallpaper

PARIS, France (Reuters) -- Oscar Wilde has finally got even. The wallpaper in the Paris hotel where he died 100 years ago on Thursday has been replaced. Shortly before he died, the famed Irish writer quipped to a female friend: "My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One or the other of us has to go."

Vibrant blue-green frescos have replaced the shabby, flowered wallpaper that riled him in his room at the dingy Hotel d'Alsace pension house where he passed away on November 30, 1900.

L'Hotel, now a plush four-star establishment on the Left Bank, also long ago shortened the name that is part of the lore surrounding the man whose wit made him the toast of late 19th century London and homosexuality the target of Victorian wrath.

A small plaque outside the hotel on the rue des Beaux-Arts mentions Wilde's name, but the building otherwise gives few hints about the final weeks of its most famous guest.

The first floor room, a resplendent mix of greens, reds and gold, has been newly redecorated in the style of the writer's London apartment. The walls are based on designs by Wilde's contemporary, Aubrey Beardsley, who illustrated some of his work. Period furniture adds to the fin-de-siecle touch.

"The furniture is unlikely to be what was in the room when he died because this was -- how shall I say -- a poor people's hotel," hotel manager Fabienne Capelli said.

Details of death

The rare records of Wilde's demise include the bill that he left unpaid, now framed on one of the bedroom walls next to pictures of the writer. Among the details are the expenses incurred when a Catholic priest administered the last rites before Wilde died of an ear infection that had spread to his brain.

"It is rather macabre to see all the details. There's even the candles that were used at the services of the priest before he died," said Capelli.

London-based media broker Robert Palmer booked the room three years ago to be sure to occupy it for the centenary. "I realized it was going to be 100 years since Wilde died and I thought it would be nice to commemorate his death," said Palmer, who describes himself simply as "a great fan."

Staff scrambled to complete a huge nine-month renovation of the hotel and Wilde's room was finally ready Thursday, although parts of the hotel would not be habitable for some time.

"We are going to raise a few glasses at 1:45 this afternoon in the room, to commemorate the time of his death, which was sometime between then and 2 p.m.," said Palmer. The commemorations were set to continue later with music and readings from Wilde's work for 60 guests, including British television celebrities and writers.

Copyright 2000 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.

'Ear infection' killed Oscar Wilde
November 23, 2000
Review: Ideal cast husbands Wilde's wit
June 23, 1999

L'Hotel

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