The Kiss (Le Baiser)
Sculpture • Auguste Rodin
Style & Movement
Modernist Sculpture / Impressionist influence / Symbolism
Medium & Technique
White marble; carving with non-finito (unfinished) base and high-polish finish on anatomical surfaces
Creation Period
Original marble commission 1888-1898 (this specific version)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 181.5 x 112.5 x 117 cm; three-dimensional freestanding monument
Subject Description
Depicts the illicit lovers Paolo Malatesta and Francesca da Rimini from Dante's 'Inferno'. The composition emphasizes a fluid, sensual embrace, though their lips do not actually touch, symbolizing their eternal longing. The figures emerge from a rough-hewn stone base, contrasting the softness of flesh with the raw quality of the material.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; well-maintained in a museum environment (Musée Rodin, Paris).
Estimated Market Value
$50,000,000 - $100,000,000+ (Institutional valuation for a primary marble)
Auction Estimate
Unavailable for institutional assets; secondary bronze casts frequently sell for $5M - $20M.
Provenance History
Commissioned by the French State in 1888 for the 1889 Exposition Universelle; remained in the artist's studio; entered the collection of the Musée Rodin upon its establishment in 1919.
Art Historical Significance
One of the most iconic images in Western art history. It marked a shift from the academic tradition of 'finished' sculpture to a more expressive, emotive form. Originally intended for 'The Gates of Hell', it was eventually removed because its happiness conflicted with the theme of eternal damnation.
Notable Features
The contrast between the highly finished, smooth bodies and the 'non-finito' rough marble base; the heavy shadow play created by the complex positioning of the limbs.
Condition Issues
None visible in current display. Older marbles can occasionally suffer from surface yellowing or micro-stress fractures over decades.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain stable humidity and temperature; protect from direct UV exposure (note the window light in the image); strict 'no-touching' policy to prevent oil transfer from hands.