The Kiss 1898

Peter Behrens’s “The Kiss” from 1898 is a prime example of Art Nouveau style. The print features the stylized profiles of two figures kissing, their faces framed by swirling, organic lines that evoke hair or flowing water. The image, created using colored inks, exemplifies the artistic movement’s embrace of natural forms and a rejection of rigid geometry. The work was likely inspired by the decorative designs of the time, with its intricate line work, and its bold use of color. Behrens, a leading figure in the German Art Nouveau movement, is well-known for his work in architecture, design, and graphic arts. This piece, a testament to his versatile talent, is currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.