The Kiss (Klimt painting)

Tropes and genres
Related tropes/genres	Imitation
See also	Art Nouveau
the original painting by Gustav Klimt
Related articles on Fanlore.

The Kiss (Der Kuss in German) is an Art Nouveau oil painting by Gustav Klimt created between 1907 and 1908.

The Kiss depicts a heterosexual couple kneeling on a flowery field. The man embraces a woman in his arms while the woman is kissed on the cheek by the man. The woman wears a crown of flowers while the man wears a crown of thorns. The couples' clothing are both composed of intricate geometric shapes and gold-leaf detailing.

The Kiss is frequently imitated in fanart, both in pose and in style. The painting has also been referenced in popular media, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, This Means War, Altered Carbon, Bad Timing, Elfen Lied and The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones to name a few.

Essays/articles on The Kiss and why it is is popular

• The Kiss Is Not Just A Kiss, ^{Archived version}, meta on why it is so powerful
• The longer you look, the darker it gets: reassessing Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss

Fannish Views on fanart based on the Kiss

Fans have commented approvingly on the ubiquity of fanart based on the The Kiss across fandoms representing a wide variety of genres. Some have joked that the existence of such works serves as an informal litmus test for whether a pairing should be regarded as popular or rare.

the thing about the kiss by gustav klimt is that it's making something so sweet so loving, so natural so instinctual to so many people, and turning it into this big symbol of love and making it feel like a divine act! man it's so cool

coffeeflavored-tears (2023)

if you don’t see at least one fanart of klimt’s The Kiss with your pair in a very popular fandom then you DO qualify for rarepair

vyragosa (2019)

No piece of medias fan content is ever complete if it doesnt have at least one instance of a fanart based on the kiss by klimt or a pacific rim au

mesosauridae (2020)

Something that I go absolutely rabid for, that makes me lose my god damn mind, any fanart that recreats The Kiss by Gustav Klimt, it's just 💖💖💖💖💖

shittierpost (2022)

okay but is it really a ship if someone hasn’t made fanart of Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss” using those characters

crazysnakey (2022)

God. Klimt's The Kiss is one of my favorite paintings, and I go absolutely feral over every single fanart that emulates it

saturninemartial (2023)

If there hasn’t been fanart done of two characters in the style of Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss, are they really even a pairing?

solarmorrigan (2021)

Others have expressed less favourable views of fanart imitations of The Kiss, with some finding find them overdone, not suited to every ship, or generally disliking the original painting.

i get why people re-use the same like 4 classical pieces of art for fanart reinterps like klimts the kiss and the lucifer one but sometimes it just doesnty work for the characters. like everyone feels it off of shallow general vibes of love ands tuff but sometimes it just doesnt work for the characters. also i think people need to expand their mental catalogue of classical art pieces

abimee (2023)

It's completely ok to do fanart that is a derivation of Klimt's "The Kiss" and Fragonard's "The Swing" and stuff but honestly it does seem conspicuous that so much fanart now is reimaginings of famous paintings? When did that start.

kaelio (2022)

gustav klimt’s “the kiss”--or as I like to call it, that one painting with the two people who’s necks look concerningly broken that a lot of artists like the emulate in their fanart for some reason

loregoddess (2020)

everytime somebody draws their otp into 'the kiss' by gustav klimt, a small piece of me dies inside

borowskizz (2017)

Fanart by Fandom

The Addams Family

• Klimt + The Addams Family, ^{Archived version} by cookiekappa (Gomez/Morticia, 2023)

The Ancient Magus' Bride

• KlimtKiss, ^{Archived version} by ellenipo (Chise x Elias, 2020)

ASoIaF/Game of Thrones

• Jonerys, ^{Archived version} by aijigoku (Jon/Daenerys, 2018)
• Jonerys, ^{Archived version} by aksarte (Jon/Daenerys, 2019)
• Winter kiss, ^{Archived version} by diazeram (Jon/Daenerys, year drawn unknown)
• Jon and Daenerys (The Kiss), ^{Archived version} by immyw (Jon/Daenerys, 2021)
• Game of Kisses, ^{Archived version} by xMorfina92 (Jon/Daenerys, 2019)
• Jonsa, ^{Archived version} by wolvesofspring (Jon/Sansa, year drawn unknown)

Baldur's Gate

• Bloodweave The kiss repaint!l by falmarindecarme (Astarion/Gale, 2023)
• Art, ^{Archived version} by Kashkadavr (Astarion/Tav, 2021)

Beauty and the Beast (Disney)

• The kiss, ^{Archived version} by Sommum (Belle/Beast, 2014)

Berserk

• BERSERK THE KISS, ^{Archived version} by morze-ma (Guts/Casca, 2023)
• Guts Casca X Gustav Klimt (thekiss), ^{Archived version} by Stephane-Piovan-Draw (Guts/Casca, 2023)

A Court of Thorns and Roses

• The Kiss by jessamyart (Feyre/Rhysand, 2023)

Critical Role

• The Kiss by Gustav Klimt, but it’s Beau and Yasha, ^{Archived version} by eyezpike (Beau/Yasha, 2022)
• "Can I kiss you?" meets "The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt, ^{Archived version} by curlytale (Fjord/Jester, 2020)

Dangan Ronpa

• It was supposed to be funny, ^{Archived version} by eliotvlunogord (Hagakure x Togami, 2022)

DC Comics

• Bat Klimt, ^{Archived version} by char0077 (Batman/Catwoman, 2017)
• Joker's Kiss, ^{Archived version} by brettbennett (Joker/Harley Quinn, 2015)

Doctor Who

• The kiss the kiss but make it thasmin, ^{Archived version} by kellyerosen (Thirteen/Yaz, 2022)
• the kiss 💙, ^{Archived version} by anaquariusfox (Ten/Rose, 2023)

Dragon Age

• Klimt's the kiss... But adoribull, ^{Archived version} by cansofbees (Adoribull, 2020)
• Kiss, ^{Archived version} by R-r-ricko (Anders with his cat, 2015)
• Merry Christmas @feylen!!, ^{Archived version} by prismavore (Cullen/Inquisitor, 2015)
• issalris by laccertilia (Fenris/OC, 2017)
• DAI BullxmLavellan, ^{Archived version} by SineAlas (Iron Bull/Inquisitor, 2015)
• Halam'shivanas, ^{Archived version} by nipuni (Solas/Inquisitor, 2017)
• The Kiss, ^{Archived version} by Widdershins-Sorks (Solas/Inquisitor, 2015)

Genshin Impact

• Venlumi - The Kiss, ^{Archived version} by Neutron-Quasar (Venti/Lumine, 2022)
• kiss, ^{Archived version} by xKashikix (Arlecchino/Columbina, 2023)
• yantao in Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss" by sunhreis (Tao/Yanfei, 2022)

God of War

• The Kiss by salmonpiffy (Kratos/Laufey, 2022)

Golden Kamuy

• Did my best💕💕💕, ^{Archived version} by beto-aka-beta (Ogata x Sugimoto, 2020)
• 接吻（部分）, ^{Archived version} by Reman_Kamuy (Tsurumi x Usami, 2020)

Good Omens

• inspired by klimt’s the kiss, ^{Archived version} by nathengyn (Aziraphale/Crowley, 2019)
• The Kiss of solace for a fallen friend, ^{Archived version} by sjatty (Aziraphale/Crowley, 2023)
• klimt’s "the kiss" but it's crowley and aziraphale good omens, ^{Archived version} by spookynadja (Aziraphale/Crowley, 2022)
• frame for Every Frame Matters citing inspiration from the kiss by sketching-fox on tumblr (October, 2023)

Harry Potter

• kiss kiss, ^{Archived version} by hogwartsresidentdramaqueen (Remus/Sirius, 2021)
• meeting, ^{Archived version} by lunopal (Remus/Sirius, 2021)
• Wolfstar inspired by klimt’s 'the kiss', ^{Archived version} by thematicallycoherent (Remus/Sirius, 2021)

Heaven Official's Blessing

• my completed piece for the bflfzine 🌷 by meru90 (BeefLeaf, 2023)

Howl's Moving Castle

• Howl Kiss, ^{Archived version} by kclub (Howl/Sophie, 2019)
• Sophie and Howl, ^{Archived version} by Andrea Tamme, aka lothlenan (Howl/Sophie, 2018)

InuYasha

• Der Kuss, ^{Archived version} by DzoaraTheNightWolf (Inuyasha/Kagome), 2021)
• InuKag Klimt by katballesteros (Inuyasha/Kagome, 2023)

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

• it done, ^{Archived version} by LetsGoPastel (Jotakak), 2017)

Labyrinth (1986)

• Untitled (An Homage to Klimt), ^{Archived version} by daturanyx (Jareth/Sarah, 2017)

Legend of Zelda

• Zelink + The Kiss, ^{Archived version} by keikbird (Link/Zelda, 2022)
• The Kiss, ^{Archived version} by Susan Lau (Link/Zelda, 2014)
• The Silent Kiss (Animated Gold), ^{Archived version} by xMurmaid (Link/Zelda, 2019)
• midzel based off of the kiss by gustav klimt, ^{Archived version} by helmarocking (Midna/Zelda, 2018)

Lore Olympus

• Lore Olympus 'The Kiss', ^{Archived version} (Hades/Persephone, 2022)

The Locked Tomb

• One Flesh • One End Gideon amd Harrow as Gustav Klimt's The Kiss (reddit link) by may1234 (Griddlehark, 2022)

Mario

• The Kiss but Waludaisy, ^{Archived version} by mystar21 (Daisy/Waluigi, 2022)

Marvel Comics/MCU

• The Kiss, ^{Archived version} by bonesbunns (Wanda/Vision, 2021)
• Vision and Scarlet Witch - The kiss, ^{Archived version} by cassandra4 (Wanda/Vision, 2019)
• Vision and Scarlet Witch, ^{Archived version} by cassandra4 (Wanda/Vision, 2019)
• Unusual Kiss, ^{Archived version} by darthfilart (Wanda/Vision, 2021)
• The Kiss, ^{Archived version} by shaarpieh (Wanda/Vision, 2022)

Mo Dao Zu Shi

• The Kiss in two styles by pzxce (WangXian, 2020)
• WangXian, ^{Archived version} by dangerliesbeforeyou (WangXian, 2020)
• "just two guys in a coffin, forever" by cyandemise (Nie Mingjue/Jin Guangyao, 2023)
• wangxian meets gustav klimt's the kiss by delcarmenart (WangXian, 2023)
• The Kiss, ^{Archived version} by ottiedot (WangXian, 2023)

Naruto

• From this moment, ^{Archived version} by sasu-chuu (Naruto/Hinata, 2015)
• SasuSaku Kiss, ^{Archived version} by AlaskaChristin (Sasuke/Sakura, 2022)

One Piece

• The Kiss (Oden x Toki), ^{Archived version} by TakkaRULZFanArt (Oden x Toki, 20XX)

Our Flag Means Death

• i found my first gentlebeard fanart </3 by auchaczer (Blackbonnet, 2022)
• The Kiss Our Flag Means Death, ^{Archived version} by KLHprints (Blackbonnet, 2023)
• ed teach & stede bonnet as "the kiss", ^{Archived version} by koffeekam (Blackbonnet, 2022)
• The Kiss ✨️, ^{Archived version}by ladyofthebruinen (Blackbonnet, 2023)
• The Kiss by Gustav Klimt ... but it's Blackbonnet ^{[Unable to archive]} by waddle-avocado (Blackbonnet, 2022)

The Owl House

• "the kiss" but Raeda version, ^{Archived version} by smolmushroomm (Raine/Eda, 2023)

Percy Jackson

• the kiss but make it ✨percabeth✨ by yssai-nne (Percabeth, 2022)
• solangelo ‘the kiss’ by gustav klimt homage <3, ^{Archived version} by popielica (Solangelo, 2021)

Sailor Moon

• Senshi Kiss (Lovers), ^{Archived version} by missypena (Uranus/Neptune, 2016)
• Le baiser by momoiro-hime (Uranus/Neptune, 2022)
• Klimt's The Kiss, ^{Archived version} by Rinji-chan101 (Usagi/Mamoru, 2021)

The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System

• Starting Tumblr with a smooch ♡ by leelajun (Jun/Qinghua, 2023)

Shadowhunters

• James and Cordelia as ✨The Kiss✨, ^{Archived version} by illolila (James/Cordelia, 2021)

She-Ra

• 🌼 The Kiss 🌼, ^{Archived version} by aoiveaeart (Catradora), 2023)
• The Catradora Kiss, ^{Archived version} by giannalikesramen (Catradora, 2020)

Sonic the Hedgehog

• The Kiss, ^{Archived version} by Day-Dream-Fever (Sonic/Shadow, 2015)

Star Trek

• The kiss, ^{Archived version} by spockl (Kirk/Spock, 2015)
• Based on The Kiss by Gustav Klimt, ^{Archived version} by thetimetostrikeislater (Kirk/Spock, 2018)

Star Wars

• The Kiss: A Star Wars Parody, ^{Archived version} by Kaebaine (Anakin/Padmé, 2021)
• i can't live without her by Hadollam (Anakin/Padmé, 2023)
• Padme and Anakin- the kiss, ^{Archived version} by ToscaSam (Anakin/Padmé, 2020)
• I Love You I Know, ^{Archived version} by TheTrueGypsyQueen (Han/Leia, 2017)
• The Kiss, ^{Archived version} by PangolinPirate (Kylux, 2017)
• The Kiss (Klimt), ^{Archived version} by nataly-leyton (Reylo, 2020)
• My take of Reylo as Klimt's Kiss, ^{Archived version} by tiny_jedi (Reylo, 2022)
• The Kiss, ^{Archived version} by verauko (Reylo, 2016)
• The Kiss, ^{Archived version} by Rachel Xin (Reylo, 2020)

Stranger Things

• Klimt’s “the kiss” but make it steddie by disjointed-art (Steddie, 2023)
• another steddie one ^{[Unable to archive]} by noxarcanaart (Steddie, 2023). This art is featured in however wild, a popular Steddie fic on Archive of Our Own.

Supernatural

• Deancas as The Kiss by Gustav Klimt by dedicatedtocas (Dean/Castiel, 2023)
• blog @destielfanworks has collected eight different examples of Destiel "The Kiss" redraws by dedicatedtocas,sccredhead, jewwu, deanspurpleflannel, dadcas, artxghoul, jununy, uvgroovy

Tangled: The Series

• casspunzel based on the kiss by gustav klimt, ^{Archived version}by athenacyikes (Cassandra/Rapunzel, 2022)
• cassunzel but make it gustav klimt, ^{Archived version} by stellesappho (Cassandra/Rapunzel, 2021)

Tolkien

• immortal lovers by maalidoesart (Maedhros/Fingon, 2022)

The Vampire Chronicles

• Marius & Armand ^{[Unable to archive]} by Killer_Laurent (Armand/Marius, 2023)

Voltron: Legendary Defender

• Sheith Kiss, ^{Archived version} by mondaijo (Sheith, 2018)

The Witcher

• KISS, ^{Archived version} by snovaaprel (Geralt/Jaskier, 2020)
• The kiss - The witcher3, ^{Archived version} by IzanamiNu (Geralt/Yennefer, 2023)

The X-Files

• Mulder and Scully - Klimt by Franca Bassino (Mulder/Scully, year unknown)
• Variant Art Appreciation Cover for IDW Comic Vol. 3 (2016) by Miran Kim, ^{Archived version} (Mulder/Scully, 2016)

Word of Honor

• there is light on you, ^{Archived version} by maalidoesart (Wen/Zhou, 2023)

Gallery (Alphabetical by Fandom)

• 

  Fanart of the 1992 film Bram Stoker's Dracula fanart by 1-084 (2016).

• 

  Disney fanart by GabiSaKuRa of Mickey and Minnie (2012).

• 

  Devilman Crybaby fanart by Barnabyy (2018).

• 

  Dragon Age art by SerpentsShipmate – Fenris with a female Hawke (Fenris/Hawke, 2017).

• 

  Dragon Age fanart by monstertree-art – Solas with a female Lavellan Inquisitor (Solas/Inquisitor, 2016).

• 

  Encanto fanart by AWretchedThing depicting Bruno/Mirabel (2022).

• 

  Final Fantasy XIV fanart by NihilAzari of Emet-selch and G'raha Tia (2020).

• 

  Hades fanart by Kyni depicting Zagreus and Hypnos (2020).

• 

  Harry Potter fanart by Red_Magicmarker depicting Harry and Ginny (Harry/Ginny) made for a 2006 HP Fringeart Challenge.

• 

  In the Flesh fanart by Pulvis featuring Simon/Kieran (2014).

• 

  James Bond fanart by a-bloody-big-ship of 00Q (Bond/Q) from 2012.

• 

  MCU fanart of Untitled by Huang Danlan of Wanda and Pietro (Wanda/Pietro) from 2015.

• 

  Naruto fanart by KokoDraws01 of Sasuke/Sakura (Sasusaku) from 2020.

• 

  Persona 5 fanart by Lyonface (2022).

• 

  Pokémon fanart of two Pikachu by chocoholicmonkey (2023).

• 

  Star Trek fanart by Gayle F. Cover of Interphase #4 (1977). Two Vulcan characters pose like the figures in The Kiss.

• 

  Star Trek fanart by Tarantel of Spock and McCoy (Spock/McCoy) featured in Spiced Peaches #21 (2010).

• 

  Star Wars fanart by albonet of Han Solo with Leia Organa (Han/Leia). Made as a tribute to Carrie Fisher in 2016.

• 

  Star Wars fanart by K3MaMi featuring Ahsoka and Darth Maul (2021).

• 

  Starsky & Hutch fanart by Suzan Lovett (2010) used as the cover art of the The Perfect Couple.

• 

  Undertale art by GrungeSniper of Alphys/Undyne (2022).

• 

  Vampire Hunter D fanart by UmiMizuno – Meier Link and Charlotte (2015)

• 

  Voltron fanart by Deviant-Danni – Keith Kogane and Lance McClain (Klance, 2016).

• 

  Yuri on Ice fanart by missypena depicting Yuuri/Victor (Victuuri (2017).

• 

  Zootopia fanart by ‎Ammy-Louve – Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps (Nick/Judy, 2016).

References

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