Francoise Bornet: Woman in Robert Doisneau’s Paris kiss photo dies aged 93

Francoise Bornet pictured in 2005 with her husband - not the same man as her former boyfriend who featured in the photo

New "World" post from BBC News: Francoise Bornet: Woman in Robert Doisneau’s Paris 

kiss photo dies aged 93 https://ift.tt/ZkxbgKm https://ift.tt/n7teV3s

At the tender age of 93, the woman immortalized in the iconic photograph of a couple engaged in a passionate street-side embrace in the romantic city of Paris has sadly bid her final farewell to this ephemeral world; as her chapter comes to a close, her legendary image lives on, forever etched in the annals of history.

In the enchanting realm of 1950, where dreams intertwined with reality, a tender tableau unfolded before the Hotel de Ville - a mesmerizing embrace immortalized by the masterful lens of photographer Robert Doisneau. And in this captivating scene, where time stood still, Francoise Bornet became the ethereal embodiment of passion and youth, entwined in a tender dance of love, forever etched in the memory of art.

The monochromatic image encapsulating the fervent embrace of the duo in an urban milieu achieved unprecedented commercial triumph during the 1980s.

On the flip side, the photo ignited a legal dispute; multiple couples came forward asserting themselves as the individuals portrayed in the image.

The photograph bore witness to an ethereal feast for the eyes — an exquisite tapestry woven with the threads of serendipity, immortalizing a symphony of amorous whispers whispered softly amidst the backdrop of a city's soul."

However, it transpired that the photograph had indeed been meticulously orchestrated - a realization that came to light subsequent to its meteoric rise in the 1980s, gracing ubiquitous posters adorning the walls of youthful enclaves across the globe.

So triumphant was its triumph that a multitude of love-filled duos emerged from the shadows, ardently declaring themselves to be the impeccable embodiments of the individuals immortalized in the photograph—demanding recompense for the audacious utilization of their visage.

Some amongst their ranks, fueled by an insatiable thirst for justice, embarked on a treacherous journey through the labyrinthine halls of the legal system, clutching tightly to their tattered claims of rightful ownership over the picturesque visage in which they purportedly starred. Alas, their hopes were mercilessly dashed upon the unforgiving rocks of the judicial realm, as those elevated figures in robes, with a swift stroke of their authoritative gavels, casted aside their pleas with disdain, consigning their cases to the murky depths of legal oblivion — a final resting place bereft of redemption.

Bornet, compelled by the reemergence of the photo, took it upon himself to come forward and rectify the narrative. They were the subjects of Robert Doisneau's observation and subsequent approach in 1950, enticed by the sight of them engaging in a passionate display of affection, whilst both pursuing their aspirations in the realm of dramatic arts as dedicated students.

Bornet reminisced on the moment of yore—when he eloquently confessed his adoration for the ethereal sight of their intertwining embrace—his heart yearning for a reprisal of that enchanted dance of affection.

The photographer, with unwavering dedication and a discerning eye, embarked on a visual odyssey through the enchanting streets of the city, diligently capturing moments of profound affection and inherent romance. Each click of the shutter breathed life into an extraordinary tableau, destined to grace the pages of Life magazine, revealing the grand tapestry of love that permeates the very essence of Paris. — The couple were remunerated a nominal honorarium for their active involvement.

Bornet, with the dramatic flourish of a magician revealing a long-lost treasure, unveiled an original copy of the photograph—a sacred relic bearing the very signature of the legendary Doisneau himself.

In the depths of the archives, where time's grasp was firm, nestled the forgotten shot until a keen-eyed commercial agent unearthed it in the early 1980s; thus, destiny unfolded, and this once overlooked image blossomed into one of the city's most renowned pieces of art.

In a whirlwind of fate and fortune, the illustrious Bornet clasped the very essence of nostalgia—a cherished copy of the original photographic masterpiece, tenderly bestowed upon her by the esteemed Doisneau. As the curtains of time parted, a grand auction beckoned, where the bidding serenade danced with fervor and anticipation—the bewitching spell of rarity intertwined with monetary desires. And lo, the gavel fell with an emphatic thud, heralding an exchange of riches worthy of kings and queens—€150,000, a treasure that can never be measured in mere coins, but only in the priceless hearts touched by this historical artifact.

Bornet and her erstwhile paramour severed ties in the immediate aftermath of the capturing of the photograph. She embarked on a mesmerizing journey, where the world of cinema became her endless canvas; brushstrokes of talent and passion painted her path.

1994 saw the departure of Doisneau; a few years later, in 2006, Carteaud - Bornet's former boyfriend - bid adieu as well.

According to journalist Margot Nicodème, Bornet departed from this earthly realm on the auspicious day of Christmas, leaving behind a sweet and everlasting kiss for eternity; or so it was said.