Der Kuss (The Kiss) 1921

Lovis Corinth created this etching, titled "The Kiss," using a plate sometime between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The image is dominated by the intimate embrace of two figures, their bodies merging into a single form through the artist's expressive lines. The motif of the embrace carries deep historical weight. Consider the ancient Roman sarcophagi, where the embrace symbolizes love and mourning, or even divine union. Corinth's embrace evokes a primal, almost desperate connection, one that recalls the romanticism of artists such as Edvard Munch. It is a symbol of longing and connection. Such gestures tap into the wellspring of human emotion, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. The cyclical nature of these symbols, their resurfacing and evolution across history, attests to their enduring power.