Saturday, June 26, 2010

~Le Baiser de l'Hôtel de Ville



After the passing of the woman in the VJ-Day kiss this week I started thinking about all those great Life kissing pics. So I did some digging...
Called Le Baiser de l'Hôtel de Ville, the photograph was published in the June 12, 1950, issue of Life. It would become one of the most recognized in the world, endlessly reproduced on postcards and posters all over the planet.


Sadly, thanks to a lawsuit in where couples claimed to be the kissing lovers it came that the shot wasn’t spontaneous, Robert Doisneau had indeed used models for the picture. Françoise Bornet 20 and then boyfriend Jacques Carteaud 23 , posed for the picture after Robert had seen them kissing earlier in a café. The relationship only lasted around 9 months. Even though they are forever linked in the picture as one of the most romantic couples they didn’t stay in touch. Until years later when the photo brought them back together.


Ok let's not dwell on the end but, the romance it brings to mind of young love in one of the world's most romantic cities.

If you like these kinda stories let me know. I can look up more for you guy!

1 comments:

Jemima said...

What a lovely photo! Thank you for sharing. x