“Kisses of Death” is an etching on paper by the artist Félicien Rops, belonging to the Symbolism art movement. The artwork is allegorical in nature and measures 17 x 14 cm. It features a haunting depiction that evokes themes of despair and mortality, characteristic of the Symbolist style.
The artwork portrays a female figure at its center, her expression and posture suggesting vulnerability and anguish. Embracing this figure is a skeletal form with dark, ominous wings, representing death. The interaction between the two figures is intense and somewhat intimate, conveying the inevitable union of life and death. The skeletal figure leans over the woman, embodying a grim presence that contrasts sharply with the delicate, almost ephemeral appearance of the woman. The background is shaded, enhancing the overall somber and eerie atmosphere, while the intricate details of the figures are indicative of Rops’ mastery over the etching medium. The scene is layered with symbolic meaning, inviting viewers to reflect on the fragility of life and the ever-present shadow of mortality.
