'The Most Famous Kiss of the 20th Century' Female Lead Passes Away

Romantic City Paris Symbol Black and White Photo
Fran?ois Bonnet Passes Away at 93
Man Died in 2006, Photographer Passed in 1994

The subject of the photograph, known as the most famous kiss of the 20th century and credited with making Paris, France, the "City of Romance," has passed away.

On the 3rd (local time), the British BBC and others reported that Fran?ois Bonnet, the subject of the world-famous "Kiss in front of Paris City Hall" photograph, died on December 25th at the age of 93.

'Paris Kiss' protagonist Fran?ois Bonnet Photo by Yonhap News

The photograph was taken by the renowned French photographer Robert Doisneau (1912?1994) in 1950, capturing a young couple kissing amidst a crowd passing in front of Paris City Hall.

Although the photo did not receive much attention at the time of its capture, it gained great popularity among the younger generation in the 1980s when it was used on posters, postcards, and various merchandise. Since then, it has been regarded as a symbol of youth and romance in Paris and was even used as an emblem when France bid to host the Olympics in 2012.

The subjects of the photo were Bonnet (20 years old at the time), a theater major student, and his boyfriend Jacques Carteau (23 years old). As the photo gained popularity, impersonators claiming to be the subjects emerged in 1992, filing lawsuits and demanding compensation on the grounds of portrait rights, causing controversy. Because of this, Bonnet and Carteau revealed that they were the actual subjects of the photograph.

During this process, it was also disclosed that the scene in the photo was not a spontaneous real moment but was staged with a clear theme called "Lovers of Paris." Photographer Doisneau officially explained that he happened to see the two kissing and asked them to pose again for the photograph.

Bonnet, the woman in the photo, also revealed the original photograph signed by Doisneau to prove her identity. This photo was auctioned in 2005 for 150,000 euros (approximately 200 million KRW).

Bonnet and Carteau, who became symbols of lovers representing Paris, reportedly broke up shortly after the photo was taken. Photographer Doisneau passed away in 1994, and Carteau, the man in the photo, died in 2006.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.