The Kiss

Eadweard Muybridge's 1882 photographic sequence, "The Kiss," offers a strikingly intimate and scientifically detached glimpse into human connection. Comprised of a series of individual photographs captured in rapid succession, the sequence meticulously documents two women, unclothed, sharing a kiss. This early experiment in chronophotography breaks down a tender moment into a series of discrete, observable stages, revealing the subtle shifts in posture and physical contact. The nudity of the subjects underscores the objective, almost clinical, nature of Muybridge's study of human locomotion and interaction, stripping away societal context to focus on the bare mechanics of the embrace.

While not a "film" in the modern sense, Muybridge's "The Kiss" embodies the foundational principles that would ultimately lead to the invention of cinema. By presenting these still images in rapid succession, he created the illusion of movement, allowing viewers to witness a fleeting moment unfold over time. The simplicity of the act, juxtaposed with the groundbreaking technology used to capture it, highlights the pioneering spirit of Muybridge's work. "The Kiss" remains a significant historical artifact, a testament to early explorations in capturing and understanding the visual world in motion, even when the subject matter delves into the realm of human intimacy.

Well, after seeing "The Kiss" on YouTube I see why the IMDb thumbnail has no picture. At no more than three seconds, the kiss consisted of two totally nude women shaking hands and then kissing each other on the lips. Was it homosexual in nature? Who knows, it's hard to tell. If they were fully clothed I don't think the question would be asked. Eadweard Muybridge does seem to have an affinity of nudity. In his "Athlete Swinging a Pick" he was the totally nude athlete swinging a pick ax. The quality was so bad in that one that you really couldn't gauge if he was nude or not. In "The Kiss" there's no denying the two women are naked. Was it Eadweard Muybridge trying to promote body expressionism or was that more common in the late 19th century?