Art Collections Online

The Kiss [Kiss]

RODIN, Auguste (1840 - 1917)

The Kiss

Media: bronze

Size: 182.9 cm

Acquired: 1940; Gift; Gwendoline Davies

Accession Number: NMW A 2499

Collection: The Davies Sisters Collection

The Kiss derives from a group conceived for Rodin's Gate of Hell, representing the doomed lovers Paolo and Francesca in Dante's Inferno. In 1887 the French State commissioned a larger than life marble version, which was first exhibited in 1898. The bronze edition to which this work belongs was cast by Alexis Rudier, who became Rodin's founder in 1902. Purchased by Gwendoline Davies in 1912, it was included in the Loan exhibition organised by the National Museum of Wales in 1913 which opened in the City Hall in Cardiff.

 

Comments (15)

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Chantelle Chapman
29 March 2021, 06:47
Hello I have a sculpture statue of the kiss. I'm trying to find out what it is made of and if it's of any value. I bought it in Abergavenny Wales 14 years ago. Thanks
Philip Pearce
27 February 2019, 01:20
At the museum yesterday to see the Leonardo di Vinci drawing exhibition ( well worth it ) . I stupidly popped along on Monday forgetting that is the only day you are closed. However people watching around the corner with a cheeky G&T still made it a nice day in the sun. I'd like to pass my thanks on to the very attentive and knowledgeable staff who are a credit not only to the museum but also to the friendly reputation our principality enjoys. My visit as, always, included "the kiss" . I love to gaze at it and for the past 32 years have resisted touching it !I love the piece and am so grateful to Gwendoline Davis .

As always I visited the Monets , then the gallery to see the de Winton collection donated to the museum by a relative of mine ( glad Wilfred did as others get to enjoy and I don't have to dust it lol ). With an ice-cream sat outside in the sun ( yes in February ) yet another wonderful day in "town " ,


I would also like to thank all those who arranged the Leonardo exhibition including the Palace .
Sara Huws Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales Staff
18 July 2018, 09:25

Chère Françoise,

J'ai reçu des détails des inscriptions sur 'Le Baiser'. La seule inscription sur la sculptre est 'ALEXIS RUDIER / FONDEUR, PARIS'. Après avoir réchercher la sculpture avec nos collègues dans La Musée Rodin, Paris, nous avons trouvés que celle est la seule 'grande' sculpture de Le Baiser fontée quand Rodin était vivant. Il-y-a un probabilité qu'elle était fontée pour Wousters-Dustin en 1905, exhibitée a Bruxelles en 1908. Gwendoline Davies l'a acheté des Galerie Georges Petit, Paris, 1912.

J'éspère que ça vous aide - notre Chef d'Art Historique sera content de vous aider si vous avez les autres questions. Malheureusement elle ne parle pas Français, mais je vous connecterai vers e-mail. Desolée pour des erreurs grammatique - il faut que je m'êntraine!

Sara
Equipe Numérique

Sara Huws Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales Staff
17 July 2018, 10:43

Françoise

Merci pour votre message. Je vais l'envoyer à notre Département d'Art Historique. Ils peuvent vérifier s'il y a un numéro de fonte ou des autres inscriptions trouvées sur 'Le Baiser'.

Sara
Equipe Numérique

Gaborit Françoise
12 July 2018, 16:16
Madame, monsieur,
Je travaille sur le Baiser monumental du Jardin des Tuileries et j'aimerais savoir quelles sont exactement les inscriptions portées sur le bronze du musée national du Pays de Galles de Cardiff : y-a-t-il un numéro de fonte ? Merci de votre réponse
Françoise Gaborit
Conservateur en chef du patrimoine
Service des musées de France
Sous-direction des collections
Annie Hodges
24 February 2018, 15:28
The Kiss is one of my favourite pieces & I made many visits when at university until 2007.
We’re visiting next weekend - is it still there?
Sara Huws Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales Staff
20 November 2017, 10:05
Hi there Alan,

Thank you for your interesting question! I will pass it on to our department of Art and post their response here.

Best wishes,

Sara
Digital Team
Alan Owen
19 November 2017, 18:36
319 bronze copies were made of The Kiss but under French law only the first 12 are deemed original. Is the Cardiff copy one of those?
Ruth Evans
21 August 2017, 12:59
I spent a relaxing afternoon on my own at the museum/art gallery 18 Aug 2017 and was delighted to see The Kiss amongst other wonderful exhibits. One of the best afternoons I have spent for a very long time. What a truly fantastic selection.
Pat Devine
4 March 2017, 21:28
Fascinating collection of art work and what a privilege to have in our national museum
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