The Kiss (1907-08) by Gustav Klimt is one of the most famous paintings of the Symbolist movement and a masterpiece of his Golden Phase. The artwork depicts a couple locked in a passionate embrace, enveloped in a shimmering golden aura. Klimt was influenced by Byzantine mosaics, evident in the intricate patterns and use of gold leaf, giving the painting its iconic radiance.
The figures are set against a golden, nearly abstract background, merging them with their surroundings in a dreamlike, intimate moment. The male figure, wearing a robe with geometric patterns, bends over to kiss the woman, whose dress is adorned with floral motifs. Their forms are sensuous yet stylized, emphasizing the emotional intensity of the scene rather than realistic depiction.
Symbolically, The Kiss explores themes of love, desire, and transcendence, blending eroticism with spirituality. It was painted during a period when Klimt was highly inspired by the Vienna Secession movement and Japonism. The painting is housed in the Belvedere Museum in Vienna, where it remains one of Austria's most treasured artworks.