Originally conceived as an image for The Gates of Hell, the Kiss has become one of Rodin's most famous subjects. Rodin drew his inspiration from Dante's tale of Paolo and Francesca whose adulterous relationship greatly appealed to nineteenth century sensibility and who were the subject of several other sculptures.

The exact date of conception of the Kiss is uncertain. 'It was first exhibited simultaneously in Paris and Brussels in 1887; hence its usual dating of 1886. Evidence suggests, however, that it was executed earlier. A similar group of intertwined lovers representing Paolo and Francesca appears in a clay model for The Gates of Hell; it must have been executed shortly after the commission in 1880. The rigid movement and emphatic musculature of the man are related to drawings and sculptures executed at this time. The close thematic and stylistic relationship to Rodin's Eternal Spring also is significant, since this piece was completed by 1884. Even more important a little-noticed article published as early as 1884 refers to a group which can only be identified as The Kiss. Originally attached to The Gates, the group was considered by Rodin to be too large for use in this work, and at some point he removed it'. (J. de Caso and P. Sanders, Rodin's Sculpture, San Francisco, 1977, p. 151)