[1] In the late 18th century, The Stolen Kiss belonged to Stanisław August Poniatowski, the last monarch of the first Rzechpospolita, and was hosted in the Lazienki Palace in Warsaw.

The earliest dated mention of The Stolen Kiss comes from the June 1788 issue of the Mercure de France magazine, where an engraving by Nicolas François Regnault of Fragonard's painting was advertised as a pendant to The Bolt.

[3]: 95 [4] Shortly later in the 1790s, the work was purchased by Stanisław August Poniatowski, the last monarch of the first Rzechpospolita; it was present in the catalogue of the Royal Picture Gallery at the Lazienki Palace in Warsaw in 1795.

In the light of international law and arrangements with the authorities of the Soviet Union, the painting as work of art of national importance taken by Russians from Poland in the 19th century, or during World War II, was a subject to legal restitution.

The dominant French culture influenced how Fragonard chose his themes, that were mostly erotic or love scenes, painted for Louis XV's pleasure-loving court's enjoyment.