Auguste Rodin

The Kiss

1901–4

The Art Critic-Raoul Hausmann

Image released under Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND (3.0 Unported)
License this image

  • The Tate’s The Kiss is one of three full-scale versions made in Rodin’s lifetime. Its blend of eroticism and idealism makes it one of the great images of sexual love. However, Rodin considered it overly traditional, calling The Kiss ‘a large sculpted knick-knack following the usual formula.’ The couple are the adulterous lovers Paolo Malatesta and Francesca da Rimini, who were slain by Francesca’s outraged husband. They appear in Dante’s Inferno, which describes how their passion grew as they read the story of Lancelot and Guinevere together. The book can just be seen in Paolo’s hand.

    Gallery label, August 2004

  • artist

    Raoul Hausmann 1886–1971

  • ORIGINAL TITLE

    Der Kunstkritiker

  • MEDIUM

    Lithograph and printed paper on paper

  • DIMENSIONS

    Support: 318 x 254 mm

  • COLLECTION

    Purchased 1974

  • reference

    T01918