“The Kiss” by Carolus-Duran

"The Kiss", Carolus-Duran, 1868, oil on canvas.
“The Kiss”, Carolus-Duran, 1868, oil on canvas. Image Source.

“The Kiss”

This lovely oil on canvas painting titled “The Kiss” is 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 head while a bouquet of roses rests on the ground behind her.

“The Kiss” is currently in the collections of 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.

Carolus-Duran

You can find more artists to learn about here.

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