A Dutch exhibition about fragrant and foul odors in the 17th century will pair various historic scents with paintings to bring them to life. Fleeting – Scents in Colour will open at the Mauritshuis in Den Haag as soon as the museum reopens following closures due to COVID-19.
Experience a Journey Through Smell and Art
The museum is endeavoring to undertake smell-historical research through the exhibition, featuring almost 50 paintings, drawings, and objects. Visitors can expect to encounter a variety of aromas, including:
- Scented flowers and perfumes
- Foul-smelling canals and unpleasant body odors
- Exotic scents from far-away lands, such as spices, tobacco, coffee, and tea
Consequently, the exhibition aims to capture life in the 17th century through smell, investigating sensory perception and the aromatic connotations present in the artworks.
Art and Aromas: A Unique Interactive Experience
In Abraham Mignon’s Still Life of Flowers and Fruit from 1670, the artist showcases a rich abundance of flowers alongside overripe fruit that attracts ants and other insects, drawn by the sweet scent of the melon. Moreover, Pieter de Hooch’s Interior with Women in front of a Linen Cupboard from 1663 symbolizes the Dutch housewife, renowned throughout Europe for her immaculately clean home in the 17th century. Scent dispensers will allow visitors to immerse themselves in the various smells depicted in the art.
Attendees can breathe in aromas reminiscent of Adriaen Brouwer’s The Smoker from 1630, where a man enjoys his pipe, exhaling smoke. However, the 17th century was also notorious for its foul odors; with no mains water, sewer systems, deodorants, toothpaste, washing machines, or fridges, society faced significant challenges regarding hygiene.
Historical Perspectives on Odors
It was believed during this period that unpleasant smells could lead to illness, thus necessitating the use of disease-repelling fragrances. In The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Willem van der Meer, painted in 1617 by Delft painters Michiel and Pieter van Mierevelt, the subject holds a pomander, a rounded container filled with aromatic substances, which he wears on his finger from a ring and chain. Additionally, three pomanders are on display in the exhibition.
Plan Your Visit
Fleeting – Scents in Colour will commence when the Mauritshuis reopens to the public and runs until 29 August. For further details, visit here.
