the art of kissing
74no, this is not about what you think...but better
As I was halfheartedly organizing my books from college, I stumbled upon a postcard given to me by a friend as a birthday greeting card. It's a reproduction of Gustav Klimt's The Kiss - arguably the most famous "kissing scene" in the art world. Now I say arguably with a purpose, I am not sure. I decided to surf through the net and look for similarly themed works of art. And lo and behold! - there are quite a lot with most of them even sharing the same title/name. So thus began this effort to share some of the "other" kiss-a-kiss moments in art that I think you might also enjoy. As for Klimt's work being "it", I'm still not so sure. The last picture appearing last in this hub might have a case.
the stolen kiss (1756-61)
by jean-honore fragonard
Rococo painter Fragonard was a favourite in the courts of Louis XV and XVI for his delicate colored scenes of romance as in this painting. ike all his other works, this painting displays the artist's fluid lines and graceful composition.
the wedding of st george and princess sabra (1857)
by dante gabriel rossetti
Like most artists in the Pre-Rapaelite movement, the legend of St. George was a favorite of Rossetti. This watercolour rendering of a scene from the legend displays the artist's passion for decorative shapes and heraldic patterns that were often inter-related.
the dream of the poet or the kiss of the muse (1859-60)
by paul cezanne
This is yet another example of the many variations that the Postimpressionist artist (considered as the father of modern art) had applied in his work. This painting illustrates his synthesis of personal expression and naturalistic representation.
the first kiss (1873)
william adolphe bouguereau
Bouguereau was a famous French academic painter popular duing his time. He was an exponent of traditional formalism adhering to realistic depiction of the human anatomy. This painting was inspired by Lucius Apuleius' The Golden Ass (2AD).
romeo and juliet (1892)
by sir frank dicksee
Dicksee was known for his depictions of literary, allegorical and biblical subjects and was generally regarded as a Pre-Raphaelite exponent.
the kiss (1895)
by edvard munch
Norwegian Expressionist painter portrayed the blossoming of love via an image of a man and woman locked in a passionate embrace that merged their bodies into one heaving form highlighted by the lush texture and raw quality.
the kiss (1907)
by gustav klimt
Demonstrating his preference for mosaic designs, Austrian artist and
Austrian Secession (art nouveau) founder Gustav Klimt painted two
people sharing a brief moment of passion. The eroticism and sense of
desparation are typical of the movement.
the blue lovers (lovers in blue) (1914)
by marc chagall
This painting is one of Russian-born artist Chagall's many pictorial tributes to his muse Bella. Here, he depicted love using the color blue in various combinations of tones, compositions and textures.
the kiss (1962)
by roy lichtenstein
Pop Artist Lichtenstein is known for his comic strip-inspired paintings - an observation he acknowledged for he himself was vocal about his admiration of cartoonists' works. This painting emphasizes color and surface texture.
the kiss (1969)
by pablo picasso
This painting was painted on the eve of Picasso's 88th birthday and is said to have received the highest price ever for auctioned post-1960 "Picassos." Moreover, scholars believe that this is the artist's boldest depiction of lovers.
the kiss (1886)
by auguste rodin
This sculpture is part of the French artist's series called The Gates of Hell which also includes his other popular work, The Thinker, which was inspired by Dante's The Divine Comedy. In this work, Rodin displayed his gift in mastering truthful representation of inner states via delicate forms.
- art for art's sake: part one - art history from the renaissance to realism
- the shock of the new: part two - art history from impressionism to surrealism
- pushing the envelope: part three - art history from abstract expressionism to neoexpressionism
- let there be art!: part four - art history from cave paintings to gothic art
- to see you naked is to recall the earth: nude paintings of the female form
art for sale
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A Kiss Is Just A Kiss
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Art History, Volume 2 (3rd Edition)
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Dante Gabriel Rossetti
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Lives of the Artists
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Secret Lives of Great Artists: What Your Teachers Never Told You About Master Painter and Sculptors
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A Chopin Treasury
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Essential Guitar: 33 Guitar Masterpieces
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Classical Heartbreakers
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Comments
Elena.
You are too kind, but of course I'll accept it! LOL thanks for the words of encouragement... I have a few more up my sleeve! LOL thanks for dropping by :D
G'day Chris , Great collection of Kisses. I'm a big fan of sculture and I particularly like the Rodin "the kiss" that you have up top.
Of the paintings I like the composition of the Romeo and Juliet!
Hi Agvulpes,
Glad you enjoyed this mini-exhibit. Yes, Rodin's work is unforgettable and so is the Romeo and Juliet - very romantic! :D thanks for coming over :D
When I thought of famous artworks depicting kisses the first that came to mind: (http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2004
I loved each and every one you picked. So diverse and all so beautiful. I'm not at all artsy, nor am I an art historian by any means, but each piece you picked are breathtaking in their own manner. Two thumbs up!
Hi Chrissy
The picture won't load. But if it's VJ-Day (basing on the link you provided) then guess what? I have it in one of my hubs about unforgettable photographs! LOL Thanks for dropping by :D
The other comments are so right, you do have the eye for this thing. I'm no artsy person myself but your choices, i like. Ever consider starting an online art class, or art consultancy or even an online gallery or your own? Im sure itll be a big hit
Yep, yep...You guessed it! (Hmm, wonder why it's not loadng??) Anywho, I guess great minds think alike in this case. I am in LOVE with that photo...Timeless.
The romance of it all is melting me. :)
I'll bet you know which one I like best. ;) The muse kissing the poet on the forehead. So sweet. And of course the Romeo and Juliet kiss can't be resisted. It's so romantic.
Outstanding job Cris! And thanks a lot for melting me first thing in the morning. :P :D
Buddy,
I really should have the eye, otherwise those 4 years at the university is all for naught! LOL I have been considering it time and again, on a good dreamy day - otherwise I'm put off by the amount of money involved! LOL but thanks I take that as a compliment! Thanks for coming over :D
Chrissy,
I guess everybody is in love with that photo, it's big on nostalgia - like looking back at a time when the world was so young :D
Hi Pam
Yes, of course you like the sweetest things ever in this hub. But what about the Picasso? You'd like it to if you locate the mouths of the hmm participants.
Melting like butter in the morning? That's a good simile! I must say you're getting more and more poetic each day :D
Hi Cris, I favor the dicksee as i can feel her passion as well as his, or is it my own? Of course Pam is still on the muse kick. LOL
Thanks for sharing bud. Great job again.
ROFL Cris! I didn't think about the Picasso in quite that way! Hmmm, it would be like a game similar to pin the tail on the donkey only with lips. :D Thank you Cris, if I can ever create poetry like yours, then I'll die a happy person. I may be in a wheelchair by the time it comes oozing out of me, but better late than never. ;)
C.C. lol! I'm simmering down a bit now, but looking at that sweet picture flamed me up for a moment. ;)
Hi C! -
It is your own, they just make you remember (wink)!
Yep, apparently, Pam has no luck yet on her quest for the mythical loincloth man :D
Pam
wow I never thought of it that way - maybe because it sounds so complex? :D
As the wise toad said, neva eva say neva! LOL Oh it will come, just waiting for the muse is all.
I reckon your right on that one Cris. Gotta love Pam, huh? check yer email friend.
Hey Cris -- great hub; neat idea for an art history lesson! The Munch is scary, though, innit? I've always loved the Klimt, and must confess to liking the visual overload of the Rosetti.
You entertain and instruct us. Thank you! More!?
Hey C.,
Everybody loves Pam! What's there not to love? Okay I'll check it as soon as... Thanks, C.! ;D
Hi Teresa,
Funny you think that for Munch's kind of reminds me of Rhapsody in Blue (probably the saturation in blue!) You're just probably reminded of his more popular work (actually THE most popular) The Scream - now that's distubring! True about the Rossetti, the old man must have had agoraphobia! LOL
Sure I'm up to the challenge...I already have something in the making! Thanks for the kind words :D
Aw you two are too sweet. My heart is feeling all fuzzy. :) I'm putting you both on my Christmas list. :D That's right up there with inviting you to come eat chicken at my house on Sunday. ;)
Woohoo that's super Pam! I must have enough Adsense and Google money by then! LOL
Cris: Loved this hub -- perfect for Valentine's Day! My personal favorite is Klimt's, which is so beautiful. A close second is probably Lichtenstein's, because I love the whole pop art movement. Fun reading!
Lol, no Cris, that means I'm putting you and C.C. on the list of people for ME to give gifts to. ;) Gosh, I hope my adsense picks up before xmas! ;) lol! :D
Hi NYLady
It's hard not to like Klimt's the kiss as it is very sensuous and very original in having an mosaic-like appearance. Thanks for dropping by :D
Beautiful works of art. My favourite is Bouguereau's painting. I like his works very much, another of my favourite paintings by him is "The Birth of Venus".
Pam
Okay I had to reread to understand! LOL but just the same, it's still super! Thanks for including me in your Christmas list this early :D
Princessa
Glad you enjoyed the mini-gallery! Thanks for dropping a line - as you know your royal presence is always welcome :D
Well. . . take a look at the Munch again. . . doesn't it look as though he is sequestering her into a corner, like a vampire about to feed on his prey?
Picasso looks like he's kissing a dog, haha. The rest are good pictures.
Teresa
Now that you've put it that way,,, I think I'm having second thoughts! LOL
Benji
Thanks for dropping a line. As for Picasso's piece, well I can't argue with what you see LOL :D
Great collection. Cris! Each picture is a masterpiece though Klimt and Rodin are still my favorites. Talk of celebrating one of the most enchanting of human activities ...yes, a kiss is still a kiss, a sigh is still a sigh, the fundamental things apply as time goes by... was it Louis Armstrong who sang this song?
Thanks for this beautiful contribution to Hubpages!
francia
Yep it's the great man himself! Now I want to watch Casablanca again (for the nth time! LOL) Glad you enjoyed this and your favorites are duly noted! Thanks for the kind words :D
Cris.. nice work!! A totally spectacular collection of kissing art! Now I just want to kiss somebody...
I agree with everyone's favorites here, and even though the Picasso is oddly unsettling, it is also captivating just the same. The look in his eyes could tell a million stories.
Thank you for sharing.. now.. PUCKER UP :D
Thanks Lisa! I just thought I'd put this up in keeping with the season LOL
Yes, Picasso's art takes some getting used to. But once you have it sorted out... he's a genius! :D
who needs a museum with you around? :)
LOL and you can look-see for free, too! And come back anytime you want! And what's even better, you can actually touch the paintings! :D
Great collection, some of which I was lucky enough to see on a romp through Europe, but too young to really appreciate. I'd love to go back to see this kind of art up close again. But this is the next best thing. Thanks!
Good for you Bruce as I can only dream about seeing at least one of these gems here - unless they'd do a traveling exhibition which I highly doubt. Thanks for dropping by and I'm glad you the pictures :D
I thought I was going to get into a hub about the need for lighting candles, putting on some good music, brushing my teeth type of thing. But no, little by little you are educating me and giving me some culture. Good job again Cris, I mean Professor Cris!
Can't you tell I'm priming you up for the presidency? Foreign relations is not purely politics you know/ Besides if this were what you initially thought it was, it would be totally useless as you apparently know that teeth brushing is the golden rule. I don't know about the candles though as I might wake up with the bed burning - i usually sleep after the main event (wink)
Beautiful hub Cris A - love them all - have you seen where sometimes reproductions of the Klimt can be found on lacquered furniture? I have always been a great fan of Chagall, roy lichtenstein (one of my brothers paints in this style) and Cezanne but this is the first time I have seen the sir francis dicksee Romeo and Juliet - quite enchanting....thank you for this hub...cheers
ajcor
I haven't heard of nor seen a Klimt on lacquered furniture - the closest I got to owning one is on a T-shirt - but that seems great. Dicksee had been commissioned to do some pictorial art for several literary works so this Romeo and Juliet is only one of many. You have an artist brother - now how cool is that? Thanks for dropping by :D
Natrually I like "The First Kiss" being so true and innocent...and the sculpture is outstanding too...but then kisses are in general wonderful...Nice Hub sweetie...G-Ma :o) Hugs & Peace
If only my first kiss looks a little something like that - but it was a messy affair I;m afraid. Yep I agree that kissing in general is a wonderful thing. Thanks for checking this out G-Ma, hugs! :D
CrisA - I will check the dicksee paintings - so beautiful - I only know about the lacquered furniture as my son-in-law gave a piece to my step daughter as her wedding present - when I am next at their house (melb. so it won't be soon) I will see if I can get a photo of it for you to see...hopefully my memory serves me well.
I actually have a mother who still paints at her venerable age, (a colourist) one brother (surrealist/realist/poet/teacher of art) another brother (sculptor of found objects/painter/teacher of art) a sister (photographer) and a son (photograher/filmmaker) nephew (industrial designer/teacher of ind.des.) neice (dress designer) Do you think the art bug may have hit our family?? lol
cheers
Ajcor
Or you can have you stepdaughter email a pic to you - just an idea, no pressure LOL
It's wonderful enough just to appreciate art - but to actually share a love for it with the people you love? Wow I love your family already! :D
Cris A the email idea is good - will ask her today - now they are in the process of moving to the country so I am unsure whether the piece is still in Melb or up in the western district - but will ask and get back to you...
glad you love my family - they are good people! cheers
I know they're a good bunch - a lemon can only have come from a lemon tree, right? :D
I love the collection you have put together!! You have included some very beautiful works of art! I love the one by Edvard Munch!!
I was going to come in here and say something funny, or try to anyway, but these works of art are really great, and I am a great fan. It would be impossible for me to pick a favorite...they're all so good and such great diversity.
The Chagall definitely catches my eye though, but...impossible to pick one. Good idea too, and well put together.
Is there some trick to blowing them up and having them stay so crisp, instead of out of focus like, which I see a lot. Is it....what? Pixels or something. Original size before you download it?
Great job!
Beautiful! Thanks! :)
Hi Cris,
thanks for sharing the intriguing art, and topic.
Anna Marie
Glad you like the mini-collection, I also like the Edvward Munch - it's a far cry from The Scream in theme. Thanks for dropping by. :D
Suzanne,
Thanks for dropping a line :D
Benson,
I can't help myself with the title. I just hope you weren't disappointed :D
Hey Christoph!
I did go for diversity - for such is the characteristic of art (and to make it harder to the viewers to choose a favorite :D)
Chagall's work really stands out, huh? I like his use of blue in various tones - they really pop out.
I just filter my selection to the largest pics - sometimes they are even bigger than the actual size that the capsules allow. That way when I upload in HP, the quality is maintained.
Thanks for dropping by :D
Time consuming ain't it. Well worth the effort son. I just have to come back and admire your job.
Hi C.,
Definitely time-consuming but it's all worth the effort specially when it gets appreciated. Oh youll be coming back for more. I have already lined up my next hubs! :D
Hi Cris! Guess what?! I'm here for a kissing fix! Laugh! It's a slovely as I remembered !! Expect more visits in the coming days! Besos! :O)
LOL the door of the mini-gallery will be kept opened for you! Thanks for dropping a line :D
Hey Chris,
Great hub! I love pics like these. My personal favorite "The Kiss" is a photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt.
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/08/06/nyr
I hope the link works. The picture was taken on August 14, 1945 at a celebration that marked the end of WWII.
JamHan
If you are referring to the VJ-Day Kiss, well, it's in my hub on the most unforgettable photographs. Nonetheless, I appreciate the nice gesture. Thanks for dropping by :D
Wonderful hub, and great collection of pictures to share with us all. I especially loved the kiss, by Auguste Rodin.
You sure are reeling them in on this one Cris. You even got me hooked and I'm in the mood for kissing. Got any art on kissing toes? LOL
Mella
Thanks, you can come over to this hub anytime you want. Y'know, just to kill time or contemplate about kissing somebody :D
C.!
Whatever you mean by "art on kissing toes"? Please explain yourself before I unjustly judge you by your words! :D
Well, I did a picture of beautiful toes in dandelions, kind of neat, and i just wondered if you have a painting on hand of toes that are being kissed. That's a kiss isn't it? Valentiney sort a thing, you know, another term of endearment as it were, another metaphor of love. What the hell am I explaining it to for anyway?
LOL no i don't think I have one on "kissing toes" nor have I ever seen one. The closest I can get to recalling one with toes would be a Jeff Koons - but trust me, it's not kissing they're doing! :D
(((kiss kiss))) hehehe.
LOL.... C.C. Although its no work of art... if you raise face close to screen... pucker out lips... you can kiss my avatar. lol. I have hammer toes, but some may consider it art.
lol. :' )
One of your ads says:
"Enjoy some tasty samples at your local store"
:D
I already did that mellas. ;-)
Misha
The things you notice! LOL
C.C.
You perv! Get out of this hub now! LOL It feels like watching "Lolita"! :D
Now one of your ads says "Hot Bollywood Girl." lol!
Talk about an evergreen hub Cris, this is one that is timeless. Something that people will still be clicking on 50 years from now. :)
Mellas is too funny! :)
Pam
Nevermind the ads - i might get paid by them soneday!
Ah well, as long as people kiss - this hub is for keeps! :D
Mellas funny and crazy and apparently a pedo magnet! LOL Don't tell C.C. now! :D
Cris, I'm back. Are you calm now? I am. You called me a perv. that's not nice Cris coming from one who watches women take a bath.
Oh I won't tell CC! :X Lips sealed. ;)
I hope those ads do pay off Cris. Hey, there's one up there now that says "French Kissing 101." Now that's an interesting one that people might click on. Hmm, maybe I'll go click on it! :D
Have a good one, I'm off to snooze. :)
CC- did you dab some habenero on your screen too?
I tried that and it gets the sreen all mucky.
C.C.
Of course that was a joke! How could I break your heart after you immortalized me on that painting - now I'm forever a perv! LOL
toady
Apparently you don't have a monopoly on perversity! :D
Pam
goodnight! or is just siesta? whatever - just have a good one :D
I knew you were joking. i just clicked on some of your ads, very interesting stuff you got here. Picasso paintings and all. kewl, for sale
lol. You guy crack me up. You have no idea how glad I am to have found such a group of people here in Hub Pages. I thought coming here, Id be that singled out loser who no one liked. heeehaww... and here is a secret... today I accidentally stood behind at work, for 1 minute extra all because of Hub Pages. lol. I have not worked overtime by choice... in ... um.... well never. I got so caught up though reading this Hub that I actually stopped peering at my PCs clock, waitng to rush out of my office the moment the clock struck 5. lol.
Mellas, I glad to have helped 'crack' you up. This is a great place ain't it? i got to run an errnad for wee one. be back soon.
mella!
you the brave bitch ever! i'm not sure though if for the right cause! LOL
now you're a certified, sealed, 100% guaranteed hubaholic! but to check, see if you wince at the word REHAB! You did? Good! welcome to the club :D
C.C.
Clicking is good but purchasing is better! LOL
Hot black chicks up there now. What you pimpin' now? I don't think google is googling right on here.
I will though be requesting my 1 minute overtime this week. Just dont tell my boss what I was doing. hah
go for it! I don't know your boss.
me neither. I get checks in the mail, and he watches me on the office camera... ya know to make sure Im actually showing up. hehe.
C.C.
Whatever keeps this bloat afloat! (wink)
Mella
i'm no snitch either! and i'm glad you finally set your priorities right! :D
Where is evrybody Cris? snowing here again dang it.
C.C.
Everybody who? Pam's off to snooze and toad's probably being a jerk at work, Mella's dodging bullet stares from the boss, well that's just about everybody! LOL
I just went over and read Proud Moms new hub. I'm going to bed here shortly myself. Lots to do tomorrow.
C.
See you then. And keep them bones warm, alright? :D
Will do. you too, or cool. it's hot there ain't it? Dang, I got to go now. go see PM. C ya later dude.
C.!
hot as hell and we're two months off from summer! well, we can't have our way all the time! See ya :D
That was fun, now I'll have to check out more of your hubs!
thanks for doing the rounds! LOL btw, read the fan mail, yep constant and i go back a long looooong way, probably 2 months now! :D
Ahhhh, Fragonard!
Ahhh, yes LOL
I love the paintings you share in this hub. I always liked Dante Gabriel Rosetti. His sister Christina wrote some simple, but beautiful poetry. Ahhh. The sensual pre-raphaelites. I agree this is an evergreen topic, and nicely done. I've enjoyed your art-related reviews!
wannabewestern
Yes I agree, the pre-raphaelite art has that distinct look and appeal. Glad you like this one. And thanks for that trivia about Rosetti's sister :D
Beautiful imagery. As an artist myself, having a pleasing to the eye subject matter typically produces aesthetic results. All of these artists have captured the essense of kissing, and the bond it creates between two people.
alittlebitcrazy
So true what you said, and that's why they are called masters. Thanks for dropping by :D
did I miss this also, that must be picture of you when you were a little boy you were telling me about in the e.mail...... is that the one x
Cris, how on earth did I miss this one? And to think I only found it today because I was hub stalking Brenda! The Munch has my vote. I just love the moody blue colours and the subtlety of the image. This is a passionate kiss, a prelude to love-making, rather than a formal kiss, or a stolen moment like the Fragonard. It's amazing what you can find when you trawl the internet. Great hub!
ooooh i have stalkers now, today is a day to celebrate....
ooooh i have stalkers now, today is a day to celebrate....
Brenda- it's hard to resist stalking you when you visit such classy hubs!
Tell me about it....... everybody loves Cris.......... but I know who he loves, but i wont tell
Brenda & Amanda
I'm glad you both finally made it to this hub :D
Chris I like your collection.I myself is a art loverso this is a treat for me.I want oyur permission can I post these pictures on my facebook.You wouldn't mind right. Answer soon.
Urooj
Go ahead, I don't mind. Glad you liked this :D
Oh thank you so much. Now cris I want to ask something that is I am adding yours and other historical paintings in my facebook so the people wont fine us right, like the copyright or restriction laws. I am like you surfing on the internet so the owners or musuem wont say anything right.
urooj
LOL go ahead, i don't have problems with that! :D
great hub.
hey thanks for dropping a line nikki1 :D
Hey Cris, don't know how I missed this before, but an excellent collection! Love it!
hey miss SinDivine!
Nice to see you! Anyway, I hope the title didn't mislead or anything LOL thanks for dropping by. there's no late hubber only busy ones! :D
Cris, I thought it would have someting to do with Art. I know you my friend!
Too well, I'm afraid! But that's a good thing. Anyway, I hope everything's well with you...the book, going back to SA and your son away from home :D
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Elena. says:
11 months ago
Hi Cris! You've outdone yourself, this is a WONDERFUL collection, I'm bookmarking this one to return to it when the mood strikes -- which I'm sure will be often!! Bravo!