After graduating from the Academy, the artist left for Italy, where he led an exceptionally busy life. Among his close friends were F.A. Bruni, A.A. Ivanov and N.V. Gogol, with whom the artist was especially friendly and painted several of his portraits. In addition, F.A. Moller painted canvases on biblical and historical subjects - in accordance with academic canons. For the painting “John”s Sermon on Patmos” (1856), the artist was awarded the title of professor of historical painting. 

In St. Petersburg, he taught, supervised the activities of the grant-aided students of the Society for the Encouragement of Artists and carried out crucial orders for the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow (a series of paintings dedicated to Alexander Nevsky), St. Isaac’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg (‘Carrying the Cross’). 

‘The Kiss’ brought the author wide fame and the title of academician of painting. The canvas depicts a young Italian woman in a chic suit. She frightenedly pushes away the young man, who hugs and kisses her on the cheek passionately. Moller delightfully writes out her pretty face, thin profile, lively brown eyes, and shiny hair. A successful fusion of classical traditions and romantic features gave an excellent result. Moller turned to the academic plot, but chose the Italians as the heroes of his work. He deliberately enlarged the figures, focusing on the transfer of facial expressions and feelings of the characters, on the action itself – an impetuous kiss. The canvas enjoyed unprecedented audience success. Throughout his life, Moller repeatedly duplicated his popular work. It is known that his house was decorated with author’s repetitions of the picture.