Young lover in Robert Doisneau’s Paris kiss photograph dies aged 93
Françoise Bornet, the young lover immortalised in the French photographer Robert Doisneau’s The Kiss by the Hôtel de Ville, has died aged 93.
The Famous Kiss
Françoise Bornet, the young lover in Robert Doisneau's iconic photograph The Kiss by the Hôtel de Ville, has passed away at the age of 93.
Her embrace with her boyfriend in central Paris in 1950 became one of the most well-known images of the city, although Bornet herself remained relatively unknown.
At the time, Bornet, who was then known by her maiden name Delbart, was a 20-year-old drama student. She and her boyfriend Jacques Carteaud were spotted by Doisneau while they were in a café. The photographer, who had been commissioned by Life magazine, asked if they would be willing to kiss in front of his camera.
The Impact and Controversy
The photograph was published in Life magazine but was largely forgotten until it experienced a rediscovery in the 1980s.
The image was turned into posters, postcards, and various merchandise depicting the romance of Paris. It became a symbol of young love and spontaneous passion.
However, the commercialization of the photograph led to court battles as several French couples claimed to be the ones in the picture.
Bornet, who had since married a different man and was working as an actor, was confirmed as the model in the photograph. However, she did not receive any money for image rights as her face was obscured by the kiss and therefore considered unrecognizable.
Legacy and Exhibition
In 2005, Bornet sold a copy of the original photo given to her by Doisneau at an auction for more than €150,000. The photograph has become an enduring symbol of Paris and its romantic ambiance.
Robert Doisneau, who died in 1994, was praised for his ability to compose and capture scenes. His work in Paris and other locations, including Palm Springs, is currently being exhibited in Nice as part of an exhibition called Robert Doisneau: Le Merveilleux Quotidien.
Doisneau's photographs sought to capture a world of kindness and tenderness, where he found the proof that such a world could exist. His work continues to inspire and evoke a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era.
