What is the medium of The Kiss?

• A. Oil on canvas
• B. Oil and gold leaf on canvas
• C. Marble sculpture
• D. Tempera on panel

Answer: (B)

Medium refers to the materials and technique used to create the artwork. The Kiss is created with oil paint on a canvas surface, enhanced with gold leaf applied to the surface. This combination gives the painting its signature shimmering, decorative effect—a hallmark of Klimt’s Golden Phase—distinguishing it from plain oil on canvas, marble sculpture, or tempera on panel. The gold leaf’s metallic sheen creates that luminous, mosaic-like quality that readers often associate with this work.