Artwork
Der Kuss II
Der Kuss II is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist August von Pettenkofen. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Overview
Der Kuss II is an oil on canvas executed in 1864 by Austrian painter August von Pettenkofen. The work measures a modest size and is part of the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. It portrays a quiet, intimate encounter between a man and a woman in an outdoor setting.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a couple sharing a close, affectionate moment. The man, clad in a white shirt, dark vest and brown hat, leans forward against a low earthen wall, his face almost touching the woman's. She wears a simple white blouse, her hair gathered back, and responds with a gentle, receptive expression, suggesting a tender romantic bond.
Technique & Style
Pettenkofen employs a warm palette of ochres and muted blues, applying soft, blended brushstrokes that dissolve hard edges. The atmospheric background—trees and a clear sky—recedes behind the figures, enhancing the sense of calm intimacy. The handling of light on the fabrics and skin conveys a subtle, naturalistic effect.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑nineteenth century, Der Kuss II entered the holdings of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it remains on display. The painting reflects Pettenkofen’s later period, during which he focused increasingly on genre scenes of everyday life.
Context
August von Pettenkofen (1822–1889) is known for his depictions of rural and domestic life in the Austrian Empire. By the 1860s he had shifted from earlier military subjects toward more intimate genre scenes, aligning with contemporary tastes for sentimental, narrative paintings that emphasized personal emotion.
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