The kiss (lovers) (1908) - Gustav Klimt. The beauty of love.

Personal Reflection

I've heard some people claim this painting depicts a hostile form of passion. The man on the left is forcing himself onto the woman, she is forced to bend in submission dangerously close to the edge of a cliff. Personally, I see the other side of the spectrum: Two individuals, passionately in love, merging into one. I see the man as bowing to her out of reverence rather than force. The gold aura that surrounds the couple represents the ecstasy within their hearts. The flowers underneath blossom just as love does. There is a feeling when all your preconceived doubt and heartache melts away when the one you are perusing finally reciprocates. The feeling of bliss is difficult to capture, but Klimt depicts it beautifully here.