...had truly decided to seek redemption, and had entered a monastery and devoted himself to serving others, throughout many decades?
Would the portrait slowly revert back to its original form?
Hypothetical of course. But an interesting topic for discussion.
Hypotheticals are hard for me, because they are usually loosely defined.
Look. Here are two starting points.
1) He enters a monastery. Does he have to take a vow of poverty? Well, I am aware that he probably will be able to take the picture with him, but I wonder exactly how that comes about? It was originally a valuable painting, and I don't think he'd get away with it if he shows up with a small suitcase in one hand, and a big painting carried by two servants following him. So I suppose he would have to sneak it in when no one is looking. And when the Abbot (whatever the monk in charge is called) shows up for a surprise inspection ... obviously, Dorian has to have the ability to hide it well. (I would guess that Oscar Wilde would have Dorian kill a few monks on the way to redeeming himself.)
2) I am trying to imagine the reaction of the cat, one of the 73 true gods of Egypt, to having been left behind (if it was) as he heads off to spend the rest of his life as a holy man in the service of a Judeo-Christian god. Maybe Dorian finds an "ancient egyptian cat-god monastic order" to join.
So, as for the true hypothetical question, well ... what IF that had all happened?
I suppose:
... the EXPECTED thing would be a long story of Dorian working at redemption and slowly getting it. The picture changes slowly.
... a SURPRISING thing would be ... he and the picture change suddenly. Which did happen anyway. But which should really be what happens because I have been taught that one cannot "work your own redemption". After all, Jesus Christ already paid for that. If Dorian really had a change of heart, then he could get forgiveness any time.
I think it would but would take a REALLY long time! Too much death. So I do think so. :)
Wait! Wait! Where are you going? I was gonna make Espresso!