THE KISS.
Photograph with the following signature: “Carl S. Muscarello/Best Wishes” and “E. Shain”.
The photo was Incorrectly titled: “Kissing on VE Day/Times Square, NYC”.
This world famous photograph was clicked for “Life” magazine on V-J Day, August 14, 1945, by a Mr. Alfred Eisenstaedt who has been credited as the father of modern photojournalism.
Eisenstaedt has taken more pictures in the 20th century and is credited as the highest photo publisher of the 20th century.
“Time” magazine acclaimed this photograph of CARL S. MUSCARELLO and EDITH SHAIN as one of the top ten all time greatest images in the history of photojournalism.
Nobody has been confirmed as the models in this picture as the event happened impromtu and the photographer simply happened to be there. This is one reason why the photograph became so famous because it capture a fleeting public moment.
Although many sailors have claimed they were the male person in the picture, then-nurse Edith Shain identified Muscarello as the man who kissed her in Times Square to celebrate the victory over Japan, ending WWII. A story on the famous photograph and the identities of its subjects was published in “Life” in August 1980 and a follow up story was published in October of that year.
In 2007, a Houston forensic expert pointed to Glenn McDuffie (who long claimed to be the “kissing sailor”) as the male in the photograph. “Life” magazine, however, is still not sure that McDuffie is the sailor.
