Like The Thinker, The Kiss is also borrowed from the Hellepoort, Rodin's opus magnus. It is originally based on the figures Paolo and Francesca from Dantes Inferno, who have been sentenced to hell forever because they kissed each other after Francesca married Paolo's brother. The final image of De Kus gives a different impression, not of despair but of happiness and casual love. The image is very sensual but exudes a certain sweetness. The kiss was sent in by the French government in 1893 to participate in the World Columbian Fair in Chicago, but the U.S. authorities found the statue too risky for a public display. It was set up in a private room accessible only with special permission. Perhaps due to the mysterious atmosphere, the screening was a great success and De Kus has remained one of Rodin's most popular works to date.
