Smooching: The Kiss in Art

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What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, the day of reminding us what love is all about, than to share images of the kiss in art?

 

I know there are many creations out there showing the kiss in art and I’d love to hear about your favourites. In the meantime, here are a few to enjoy!

 

Gustav Klimt, "The Kiss," 1907-8, oil, silver- and gold plating on canvas, 70.86 x 70.86 in, Ostterreichische Galerie Belvedere, Vienna
Gustav Klimt, “The Kiss,” 1907-8, oil, silver- and gold plating on canvas, 70.86 x 70.86 in, Ostterreichische Galerie Belvedere, Vienna
Probably one of the most famous images of the kiss in art, this painting is one of the finest examples of the Viennese art nouveau style. It is often said that the models for the piece were Klimt himself and his red-haired companion Emilie Floge but there seems to be no hard evidence for this. I remember seeing this painting when I was in Vienna in 1982 (time to go back!) and being absolutely stunned by it. If it looks remarkable here, wait until you see the real thing!

 

 

Auguste Rodin, "The Kiss," c.1882, marble, H 71.45 x W 44.29 x D 46.06 in, Musee Rodin, Paris
Auguste Rodin, “The Kiss,” c.1882, marble, H 71.45 x W 44.29 x D 46.06 in, Musee Rodin, Paris

Another well-known image of the kiss in art, the sculpture depicts the adulterous lovers Francesca and Paolo who at the moment of their first kiss, are killed by Francesca’s husband. Watch this video about the Tate version of The Kiss.

 

 

Jean-Honore Fragonard, "The Stolen Kiss," late 1780s, oil on canvas, 17.71 x 21.65 in, Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Russia
Jean-Honore Fragonard, “The Stolen Kiss,” late 1780s, oil on canvas, 17.71 x 21.65 in, Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Russia

A rather sweet and innocent painting by Fragonard (considering some of his more erotic work!), this small treasure shows off the artist’s virtuosity with paint – look at the sheen of that dress and the transparency of the scarf. You can also see the way Fragonard uses light and dark to highlight the drama of the image. Ah to go to the Hermitage and see the original. One day…

 

 

Antonio Allegri (called Correggio), "Jupiter and Io," 1520-40, oil on canvas, 64.4 in × 27.8 in, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
Antonio Allegri da Correggio, “Jupiter and Io,” 1520-40, oil on canvas, 64.4 in × 27.8 in, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

Speaking of erotic (or lack thereof) in Fragonard’s painting, I find this painting full of sensuality and eroticism. I’ve loved this painting since I first came across it as a teenager. Here’s an informative and descriptive video about the painting. Don’t you think it seems more like a Baroque painting than one from the Renaissance?! It reminds me of the work of Rubens. And even some much later work like that of Pierre-Paul Prud’hon.

 

 

Francesco Hayez, " The Kiss," 1859, oil on canvas, 44.1 x 34.6 in, Pinacoteca di Brere, Milan, Italy
Francesco Hayez, ” The Kiss,” 1859, oil on canvas, 44.1 x 34.6 in, Pinacoteca di Brere, Milan, Italy

Such a tender and passionate, if perhaps furtive, kiss. A perfect example of the kiss in art. Apparently the painting also had a deeper meaning, representing the Resurgence (or Italian Unification). The colours the couple wear represented the Italians in their fight for independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire as well as the alliance of France with the Kingdom of Piedmont and Sardinia in 1859, the year of the painting. I rather liked the interpretation I came across in this blog post. It was here that I discovered that Hayez painted four versions of this painting. As with Fragonard, the painter’s technical ability is shown in the fabulous sheen of the fabric!And I just love the way the blue of the dress is picked up in the wall behind.

 

 

Constantin Brancusi, "The Kiss," 1916, limestone, 23 x 13.25 x 10 in, Philadelphia Museum of Art
Constantin Brancusi, “The Kiss,” 1916, limestone, 23 x 13.25 x 10 in, Philadelphia Museum of Art

Brancusi made four sculptures on the theme of the kiss. This is the fourth version. I love its simplicity – the simple geometric shape divided through the middle by a line but still the figures remain fused in their kiss. The woman is only distinguished by the hair down her back and the round shape of a breast otherwise there is such symmetry – two become one (and ironically, one piece of stone has been carved into two figures).

 

 

Jean-Leon Gerome, "Pygmalian and Galatea," 1890, oil on canvas, 35 x 27 in, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Jean-Leon Gerome, “Pygmalian and Galatea,” 1890, oil on canvas, 35 x 27 in, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Ahhhh the story of Pygmalian (and yes, I love the My Fair Lady version!) where the sculptor falls in love with the beautiful statue he has created and asks the god Venus for a woman as beautiful. Venus obliges by making Galatea come to life. I love the way Gerome showed the transition of Galatea from stone to flesh. I always thought it strange though that Galatea looks as if she is attempting to remove Pygmalian’s hand from her breast as if to say, too much too fast…let me get used to being alive first!

 

 

And finally, because it’s my honey’s birthday on the 13th of February….

Marc Chagall, "Birthday," 1915, oil on cardboard, 31.75 x 39.25 in, Museum of Modern Art, New York
Marc Chagall, “Birthday,” 1915, oil on cardboard, 31.75 x 39.25 in, Museum of Modern Art, New York

 

Have I missed any obvious images showing the kiss in art?? Be sure to let me know which of these is your favourite.

 

In the meantime, love. Love with acceptance and without judgement, love even though it can be messy, chaotic, complicated, crazy, frustrating because most of the time, it’s just plain wonderful!

 

Until next time,

~ Gail

 

PS. I couldn’t resist a couple of love poems!

 

may i feel said he

by e.e. cummings

 

may i feel said he
(i’ll squeal said she
just once said he)
it’s fun said she

(may i touch said he
how much said she
a lot said he)
why not said she

(let’s go said he
not too far said she
what’s too far said he
where you are said she)

may i stay said he
(which way said she
like this said he
if you kiss said she

may i move said he
is it love said she)
if you’re willing said he
(but you’re killing said she

but it’s life said he
but your wife said she
now said he)
ow said she

(tiptop said he
don’t stop said she
oh no said he)
go slow said she

(cccome?said he
ummm said she)
you’re divine!said he
(you are Mine said she)

 

Touched by an Angel

By Maya Angelou

We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.

Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.

We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love’s light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.

 

PPS. And what about the kiss in From Here To Eternity?

 

PPPS. And now I’m just plain getting carried away!!

The Art of Kissing by Hugh Morris, 1935

 

 

 

8 thoughts on “Smooching: The Kiss in Art”

  1. Gail- I loved your selection of paintings and your narration. And the “The Kiss” by Klimt- It is one of my most favorite paintings. I was able to view other examples of his marriage of paint and precious gold – absolutely stunning, lush and luxurious perhaps one day In person. Interestingly enough for me Klimt’s picture is not the most erotic or sensual, however my memories and associations create the most intense response- perhaps another topic for exploration- the way our memories and life experiences can intensify our response to art
    Happy valentines day!
    Linda

    1. Linda I am so glad you liked the selection. I would love to hear more about your thoughts on how memories and life experiences affect our response to art. I think you are absolutely right!
      Oh for the day I have the delight of seeing Klimt’s work in the real again!

  2. Gail, love your blog with so many great paintings most I knew but a few were new to me. And the poetry at the end. When did you put that all together, on your return? Impossible!

    As I said loved the paintings and sculpture you included and I am sure all your subscribers will too. Hope you get lots of comments

    1. Wondering which were the new ones? Certainly there were new ones for me. And yes, I put it all together on my return. Hmmm…it’s time too think about writing another post. The time goes by so quickly!

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