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It was the year 1882 when Augustin Rodin created “The Kiss.” There was an impressive transition between the use of contemporary styles such as impressionism, leaving classical styles behind. Thus, in France it was known as the Belle Epoque and was characterized by notes of optimism and a culture driven by progress and adaptability. With Rodin we can clearly appreciate the desire to show human emotions and the deep relationship that exists between human beings.

Historical Context

Technological/scientific development

In the 19th century with advances in metallurgy it was possible to create bronze statues. Rodin's statue was created in this way, indeed. Also along with the help of photography, Rodin managed to capture the figure he wanted to process in his work without the errors that a model could make in real time. Without real movements Rodin could delve deeper and examine the anatomy and movement of its processes. Finally, with the technological advance of the use of casting, it was possible to capture finer structures and give them more reality similar to human skin.

Rodin was inspired by the work of Dante Alhigeri, with his “divine comedy.” “The Kiss” is supposed to have been created between Paolo and Francesca who were murdered by Francesca's husband. With this, both lovers had to reside in hell. For his creationist technique he was inspired by the Greeks with their interest in the naturalism of the human body. With a little of these inspirations he managed to form classic characters in a natural and romantic way.

Influence of other areas on the aesthetic style

Symbolic elements

The work of “The Kiss” is loaded with a lot of symbolism. For example, we can understand that the powerful way in which bodies embrace each other demonstrates unity, passion. By not showing his face, we understand that it is a forbidden love. With his eyes closed we have a notion of non-existent time and serenity. The curves of its crows show us the fluidity and carnality of love. Because of the context of history in the position they find themselves. We can understand this perpetuation of time despite the consequences that their forbidden love will entail.

“The Kiss” does not escape patterns when creating order in its textural arrangements because it demonstrates a playful symbiosis of light and heavy nuances creating a composition that captures the essence of love, between the emotional and the physical. In the work, Rodin demonstrates with his tactical touches and visual textures the passion that these two lovers have for each other. While the bodies have more delicate and subtle touches, it contrasts well with the harshness of the lifeless rock they are sitting on. This sensuality that they express with their curved and delicate bodies makes a good contrast with this raw texture of the stone, which marks the physical connection that these bodies can have. In fact, with these curves of the bodies we can interpret more fluidity and movement in their actions. With its line patterns we observe this unity that is created from their forbidden love.

Texture and Patterns

Despite the asymmetries that may exist in the work of art, we can still mention that “The Kiss” has a delicate balance between the figures. The structure maintains a balance due to its delicate way of introducing the weights in which the two bodies are moving. The woman's sitting position is in balance with the man's stooped part, maintaining a very stable posture. It is a great task to maintain balance despite the asymmetries that exist between the two bodies and this is why the unity of the bodies and their harmony are even more highlighted while preserving that spontaneity. It is a balanced hug that gives two bodies a shocking and genuine emotion.

Balance

Auguste Rodin was immersed in his context of a recent developed metallurgic society from which he took advantage and created this realistic bronze piece. The society of 1882 was going towards a switch of a more realistic, emotional akin taste for art. The master-piece displays a part of the “Divina Comedia” from which two lovers were killed and sent to hell for his forbidden love. The way they are connected to each other shows passion and the curvy figures exhibits the carnality of love. While the face covered and closed eyes displays a unity between those bodies despite the catastrophic future.

Analysis

“The Kiss” by Auguste Rodin stands impeccably as a work of art that has managed to show its emotionality through its contrasting texture, spaces between bodies, and asymmetrical balances. With its space that Rodin depicted in his work we can understand the intimacy that the two lovers had from one another. Despite the asymmetry in the way the bodies are created, it maintains a balance in the way it embraces each other and shows a sense of unity between them. Its very different textures that can be seen from the stone contrasting the bodies remind us of the subtlety of the human being and what it means to be alive. With “The Kiss” we managed to capture a scene where time does not pass and the only thing that is appreciated is the human connection. For all this and for its historical touch, it is necessary that Rodin's work maintains its relevance worldwide and takes place in history.

Conclusion

Artble. (2010, August 25). The Kiss Analysis. Artble; Artble. https://www.artble.com/artists/auguste_rodin/sculpture/the_kiss/more_information/analysis#:~:text=Rodin's%20method%20of%20making%20large,touches%20to%20the%20larger%20version.Auguste Rodin. (2016). HA! https://historia-arte.com/artistas/auguste-rodinRodin, F.-A.-R. (2020). Musee-Rodin.fr. https://www.musee-rodin.fr/es/musee/collections/oeuvres/el-beso

References