Model of Robert Doisneau's 'Kiss by the Hôtel de Ville' Passes Away | Release #56

The model from Robert Doisneau's legendary photograph 'Kiss by the Hôtel de Ville', capturing a couple exchanging vows of love on a Paris street corner, has passed away at the age of 93. This black-and-white photo, depicting a serene moment of love amidst the bustling daily life of 1950s Paris, was part of a series commissioned by America's magazine, focusing on lovers in Paris. Françoise Delbart and her lover Jacques Carteaud are shown sharing a gentle kiss, seemingly isolated from the busy world around them.

While 'Kiss by the Hôtel de Ville' captures a moment of love against the vibrant daily life of Paris, not everything was by chance. In reality, Robert Doisneau spotted the couple in a café and asked them to kiss in a specific pose.

When it was revealed that this fleeting work included pre-planned staging, a controversy arose around the piece. Yet, why does this staged 'decisive moment' continue to captivate viewers?

Perhaps it is because the universality of love and the emotions it evokes have the power to capture our hearts, even in a staged moment.

After being discovered in the archives in the early 1980s, 'Kiss by the Hôtel de Ville' became one of the most famous images symbolizing urban romance, selling 400,000 poster-sized prints.

However, alongside this commercial success, other couples claiming to be the people in the photo emerged, leading to a series of lawsuits seeking compensation for the image's use. These claims were ultimately dismissed in court, but the situation took a turn away from romance.

Françoise Delbart, who passed away at 93, will be eternally remembered as part of this timeless work. After parting ways with her former lover Jacques Carteaud, she built a career in the film industry and continued to contribute to the arts and culture throughout her life. Even after Robert Doisneau's death in 1994 and Carteaud's in 2006, this photograph remains cherished by many as a symbol of love and youth.

cover image by Sentimental_Jong