Sand-made copy of Rodin’s the Kiss, Brighton, 2014

In 1889, the French sculptor Auguste Rodin created the marble sculpture, known now as The Kiss.  It was originally named for the woman it depicts, Francesca da Rimini, the noblewoman from Dante’s Inferno, who falls in love with her husband’s brother Paolo. In the book, the relationship is discovered and the couple are killed by the husband. In the original sculpture, Paolo is holding the book and the lovers’ lips do not touch, suggesting that they were fatally interrupted before full enjoyment of their kiss.

In this sandy, weather-susceptible copy of the famous sculpture, the couple seem to make full contact at last!

Linked to Life Imitates Art

Copyright Debbie Smyth, 12 February 2016