Rodin's The Kiss
dal 3/10/2011 al 1/9/2012
Segnalato da
3/10/2011
Rodin's The Kiss
Turner Contemporary, Margate
Auguste Rodin's life-size marble sculpture The Kiss, 1901-04, will be installed in the Sunley Gallery. One of the most iconic images of sexual love, The Kiss depicts the embracing couple from a true 13th century story of forbidden love, which was immortalised in Dante's Inferno and by many artists since.
Turner Contemporary is proud to announce that from 4 October 2011-2 September
2012 Auguste Rodin’s life-size marble sculpture The Kiss (1901-04) will be
installed in the Sunley Gallery.
On loan from the Tate collection and one of the most iconic images of sexual love,
The Kiss was voted the nation’s favourite work of art in a 2003 poll. The embracing
couple come from a true thirteenth century story of forbidden love, which was
immortalised in Dante’s Inferno and by many artists since.
The couple are the adulterous lovers Paolo Malatesta and Francesca da Rimini,
who were slain by Francesca’s outraged husband. They appear in Dante’s Inferno,
which describes how their passion grew as they read the story of Lancelot and
Guinevere together. At the time, the perceived eroticism of Rodin’s sculpture was
controversial leading to instances where the work was removed from public view.
The sculpture’s arrival coincides with our second major exhibition Nothing in the
World But Youth (17 September 2011- 8 January 2012). The exhibition explores
how youth experience has been reflected in art, culture and the media since the
late nineteenth century to the present day and will feature paintings,
photographs, items of clothing and early JMW Turner works, many depicting the
local area of East Kent.
Taking inspiration from JMW Turner, Turner Contemporary is a contemporary arts organisation that
aims to enhance the understanding and enjoyment of historical and contemporary art with a dynamic
and diverse international programme of exhibitions and events.
For more information and images please contact
Press Officer Chloe Barker E: Cbarker@turnercontemporary.org T: + 44 (0)1843 233000 ext. 220
Image: Auguste Rodin, The Kiss, 1901-04
Pentelican marble, object: 1822 x 1219 x 1530 mm, 3180 kg
Purchased with assistance from The Art Fund and public contributions 1953, currently held by the Tate.
Opening from 4 October 2011
Turner Contemporary
The Rendezvous, Margate
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