Artwork
The Kiss
The Kiss is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1899 and is held in the collection of the Munch Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Kiss is an 1897 oil painting on canvas by Norwegian symbolist Edvard Munch, part of his thematic series Frieze of Life, which explores human relationships.
Subject & Meaning
Contrary to the title's suggestion, the painting does not depict a couple kissing but rather a solitary, shadowy figure with crossed arms, set against a dark backdrop. A small window casts warm, yellow light on half of their face, symbolically highlighting individual contemplation or inner turmoil within a somber, unified color palette of dark reds and blues.
Technique & Style
The work features quick, rough brushstrokes and a predominantly dark, muted color scheme, characteristic of Munch's expressive approach. The contrast between the figure's partially illuminated face and the murky surroundings adds to the piece's tense, anticipatory atmosphere.
History & Provenance
First exhibited in 1903, The Kiss is now part of the permanent collection at the Munch Museum in Oslo, Norway.
Context
Created as part of Munch's broader exploration of human emotional states in Frieze of Life, The Kiss reflects his interest in capturing psychological depth through symbolic, rather than literal, representations of relationships.
Legacy
While not explicitly linked to a specific movement beyond Symbolism, the painting's use of expressive brushwork and emphasis on emotional tension align with influences that would later inform Expressionist art practices.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian: ; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
