The Kiss
Artist
Gene Francis
(born 1957)
Date2019
MediumEgg tempera and acrylic on canvas
Dimensions47 1/4 x 40 in. (120 x 101.6 cm)
ClassificationsPainting
Credit LineGift of The Hilbert Collection
Object number2023.120
DescriptionAs a train thunders past in a big-city station, we see fleeting glimpse of the passengers through grey windows. Meanwhile, many stories are playing out in the passing crowd. A sailor says farewell (or, we hope, hello) to his wife with a heartfelt kiss, while holding on tight to their sleeping child. This featured trio is surrounded by fedora-wearing male passersby, a cigar-chomping blue-collar guy, and an older woman with a black-mesh netted hat. In the foreground, a rack of colorful comic books gives us our clue as to the year portrayed: that issue of “War Birds” came out in 1952.
Gene Francis was born in San Luis Obispo and graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a degree in business. Many of his paintings portray scenes from times gone by and stories of everyday life in eras past. He owns a gallery in San Luis Obispo where he displays and sells his works.
Mary Platt, Museum Director
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