“The Kiss”
“The Kiss” is a lovely oil on canvas by the French Academic artist, Carolus-Duran, from 1868. It is a self-portrait of the artist in a loving embrace with his newly wed wife, Pauline Croizette.
Croizette was an artist in her own right, specializing in miniatures and pastels. She would continue to serve as a model for her husband, most notably in the portrait, “The Lady with the Glove”, which helped launch his career.
The celebration of married life was not a very popular art topic at the time, nor is it now, which makes this piece extra unique. Notice the tenderness with which Carolus-Duran depicts himself holding up his wife’s head, and her hand reaching up behind his head. Flowers add romance to the scene. A large pink rose adorns her hair while a bouquet of roses rests on the ground behind her.
“The Kiss” is currently on display at the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille in Carolus-Duran’s hometown of Lille, France.
For more on Carolus-Duran please visit his short biography here.
You can find more artists to learn about here.
