The Kiss: a Descriptive Essay

Musee Rodin described Auguste Rodin as the most remarkable sculptor in his time, where he seemingly made flesh out of marble. He was born in Paris on November 12, 1884 and known for creating “The Age of Bronze”, ”The Gates of Hell”, “The Burghers of Calais”, “The Thinker”, “The Kiss” and many other more (biography. com). According to his biography, Rodin created “The Gates of Hell” as a commissioned entrance piece for a “never built” planned museum; it featured the sculpted figures of “The Thinker” (1880) and “The Kiss” (1886). The Kiss” was originally part of the Gates of Hell inspired by a literature source; however, it was removed due to the positive state of eroticism and iconic image of love (artble. com). Rodin died on November 17, 1917 in Meudon, France and was still working on “The Gates of Hell” (biography. com) The intimate characterizations of the lovers in Rodin’s work were originally made out of stone and were reproduced in marble and bronze (artble. com). It gave emphasis to size standing 5’ 11 ? (Frank 52), giving the impression of a more realistic view for the viewers; figures positioned in a way that he carved the arms around each other and intricately highlighting his theme of the lovers’ first kiss. The figures being made out of stone, Rodin made the figures skin- smooth, in contrast of the roughness of the stone they were sitting on. Although, observing his work from a photograph, different angled pictures of Rodin’s work undeniably still relayed the concept and emotion the first time you see the sculpture.

Rodin’s intricate design demonstrated his skill as an artist; he depicted the emotional and symbolic content of having that first kiss. Rodin carved the figures’ intimate embrace and passionate kiss that displayed their true love, despite the tragedy that befell on them; it was ingeniously molded that the emotion involved was felt by the audience. Rodin’s expectations for the public’s reaction as he captured the moment that made his work marvelous; he created a masterpiece that was romantic and sensual, although the figures were nude it was never sexually concentrated (artble. com). The Kiss’s, also known as the Francesca da Rimini, main inspiration was based on the story from Dante’s Divine Comedy, which depicted the forbidden love of Paolo Malatesta to his sister-in-law Francesca da Rimini, who had an affair 13th century Italy. When Francesca’s husband, Giovanni, caught them as they were having their first kiss, he swiftly stabbed the sinful lovers that led to their tragic death. The couple was true to life figures that Dante met in his lifetime.

Reference:

1. “Auguste Rodin. ” Bio. The Biography Channel website. n. d. Web. 10 Feb 2013. <http://www. biography. com/people/auguste-rodin-9461735>
2. “The Kiss. ” Artble. n. p. n. d. Web. 09 Feb. 2013. <http://www. artble. com/artists/auguste_rodin/sculpture/the_kiss>
3. “The Kiss. ” Musee Rodin. Musee Rodin, n. d. Web. 09 Feb. 2013. < http://www. musee-rodin. fr/en/collections/sculptures/kiss >
4. Frank, Patrick. Preble’s Artforms. 10th ed. New Jersey: Pearson, 2011. 52. Print