When this mammoth statue went to America it was screened in a tent and adults paid admission to sample its excitements. Now you can see it at London's Tate Gallery, and no one will question your age or intentions. Nevertheless, The Kiss is still the most celebrated piece of erotic art, and even today it manages to make the covers of sex-books in Soho.

David Stafford-Clark looks at Rodin's masterpiece in relation to the erotic and pornographic.