The Kiss (Der Kuss) is one of Gustav Klimt’s most famous works, painted between 1907 and 1908. This masterpiece belongs to Klimt’s Golden Phase, when he combined oil with gold leaf to create a luminous, almost magical effect.

The scene shows a couple embraced, wrapped in a decorative cloak filled with geometric and floral patterns. He gently leans his head to kiss her cheek, while she surrenders with a mix of shyness and devotion. Every detail conveys love, intimacy, and a deep connection.

The use of gold and ornamental motifs is not just decorative: squares represent masculinity, while circles and flowers symbolize femininity. Klimt manages to make the kiss both physical and spiritual, capturing a moment of love suspended in time.

Although it now feels romantic and tender, the painting was provocative for its time, as Viennese society was quite strict morally. It is also believed that Klimt was inspired by Emilie Flöge, his companion and muse, infusing the painting with his personal love.

Today, The Kiss is housed at the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere in Vienna, Austria, and remains one of the most iconic works of modernist art—a symbol of passion, tenderness, and timeless beauty.