Sophie en Herr Selten 1777

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki etched "Sophie en Herr Selten," a small tableau of bourgeois life, sometime in the 18th century. Here, we observe a clandestine kiss, a motif laden with cross-cultural significance. The kiss, a simple press of lips, transcends mere physical contact. From ancient fertility rites to medieval courtly love, the kiss symbolizes connection, betrayal, and often, forbidden desire. Think of Judas’ kiss or the romantic embrace in Klimt’s painting. Here, it’s an intimate moment interrupted by onlookers at the door, which speaks to the tension between public expectations and private desires. This tension reflects the era’s shifting social codes, where personal emotions began to challenge rigid social norms. The kiss, therefore, becomes a potent symbol of transgression, an act that stirs deep-seated emotions linked to societal expectations.