"The Kiss" (Der Kuss) in Vienna is a world-famous oil-and-gold-leaf painting by Austrian Symbolist artist Gustav Klimt, created between 1907 and 1908 during his "Golden Period". It is permanently housed at the Belvedere Museum in the Upper Belvedere Palace, representing a masterpiece of Vienna Secession (Art Nouveau).
Gustave Klimt's “The Kiss” is a beloved painting in Vienna. At the time it was painted, it was deemed scandalous, depicting two lovers in a passionate embrace. It is a very popular painting, seen in art history books and on t-shirts, calendars, prints, pillows and coffee mugs.
The painting now hangs in the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere museum in the Upper Belvedere Palace in Vienna, and is considered a masterpiece of Vienna Secession – the local variation of Art Nouveau – and probably Klimt's most important work.
Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss" is more than just a painting; it is a profound expression of love, sensuality, and the human spirit. Its shimmering gold leaf, intricate patterns, and rich symbolism have made it an enduring masterpiece that continues to captivate and inspire audiences around the world.
When Klimt created his masterpiece at the height of the Viennese avant-garde and its psycho-sexual revolution, it was brazenly erotic, politically charged, and artistically revolutionary. Klimt was already the fearless leader of the Viennese avant-garde when he began painting The Kiss in 1907.
V-J Day in Times Square is a photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt that portrays a U.S. Navy sailor kissing a total stranger after grabbing her—a dental assistant—on Victory over Japan Day ("V-J Day") in New York City's Times Square on August 14, 1945.
' Emilie Flöge (1874–1952) was Klimt's unwavering companion, the inspiring woman, his much-cited 'muse', who from the 1890s onwards accompanied him through personal and artistic highs and lows.
Gustav Klimt's most famous artwork is generally considered to be The Kiss, which depicts a man and a woman locked in an embrace. He created the piece between 1907 and 1908 using oil paint and silver, gold, and platinum leaf, producing a shimmering, mosaic effect.
Former talk show host Oprah Winfrey is a renowned art collector and notably purchased a painting by Gustav Klimt in 2006 titled Adele Bloch-Bauer II. The painting was one of two portraits that Klimt painted of Bloch-Bauer, both of which were seized by the Nazis when they invaded Austria in 1938.
His relationship to Emilie did not prevent the master, however, from starting affairs with some of his models. With "The Kiss," which was bought in 1908 by the Moderne Galerie and is now on permanent display at the Upper Belvedere, Klimt reached the pinnacle of his "golden" phase.
The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci is the most iconic painting in the world. Known for her mysterious smile and captivating gaze, she attracts millions to the Louvre and symbolizes artistic mastery, intrigue, and timeless beauty.
At the time of its creation, The Kiss was controversial for its frank depiction of intimacy and sensuality, which clashed with the more conservative values of Viennese society. Its eroticism was both celebrated and criticised as a bold statement of personal and artistic freedom.
Klimt's market has since ballooned into an alternate stratosphere, and the painting she once lived with now sits in that foggy territory between legend, loss, and “dear God, what was I thinking?” Streisand sold her Gustav Klimt painting, Ria Munk On Her Deathbed, for a reported $650,000 in the 1990s.
The actor known for only kissing his wife, Neal McDonough, is a devout Catholic who refuses to perform kissing or sex scenes with other actresses out of respect for his wife, Ruvé, a principle that has sometimes cost him roles but which he maintains for his marriage and faith. He famously had to leave the TV show Scoundrels and has spoken about feeling "blackballed" by Hollywood at times for these choices, but he stands by his commitment, famously stating, "these lips are meant for one woman".
The 90/10 kissing rule, popularized by the movie Hitch, suggests that when initiating a kiss, a person should lean in 90% of the way and pause, waiting for their partner to close the remaining 10%, signaling their willingness to kiss and avoiding forcing the interaction. It's a technique for gauging consent, where the partner fiddling with their keys might signal yes, while putting keys in the door signals no, making the kiss a mutual, rather than rushed, moment.
How did Greta Zimmer Friedman feel about the kiss?
She went on to say, "I felt he was very strong, he was just holding me tight, and I'm not sure I -- about the kiss because, you know, it was just somebody really celebrating. But it wasn't a romantic event. It was just an event of thank God the war is over kind of thing."
What Does 😘 Mean? Known as the kissy face, this flirty smiley icon signifies sending a kiss to someone. You might use it as a form of gratitude, like saying “Thank you,” or sending it when you want to show your affection for something. Since it can be considered flirtatious, take care if you use it in the workplace.
KISS founding guitarist and "Spaceman," Ace Frehley, died on October 16, 2025, at age 74 from blunt force head injuries sustained in a fall, according to an autopsy report, though his family announced he passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones after a recent fall at his home. Frehley was a core member of the iconic glam rock band, known for hits like "Shock Me" and "Cold Gin," and his death was mourned by bandmates Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, who called him an "essential and irreplaceable rock soldier".
