Abu Dhabi : In an innovative European initiative, the Odotheka project aims to immerse audiences in the sensory experience of art by cataloging the scents associated with cultural artifacts. At the National Museum in Krakow, the project has reimagined the aroma of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Lady With an Ermine,” emphasizing the fragrance of walnut wood and oil paint.
Tomasz Sawoszczuk, lead researcher for Odotheka, explained to Euro News, “We can feel the element of walnut wood, because the walnut board was used as the base of the painting, and the smell of oil paintings. It’s a very nice, historical museum smell.”
The National Museum created a scent-infused pen to enhance visitor experience by offering a whiff of the painting’s historical ambiance, a concept embraced by museum director Andrzej Szczerski, who described it as evoking a “15th century palace in Milan.”
Louvre Abu Dhabi curators have explored this concept further, revealing the imagined scents of four notable artworks:
1. Thurifer Angel in a Yellow Tunic by Bernhard Strigel (circa 1520)
Curator Mariam AlDhaheri describes the painting’s scent as reminiscent of Strigel’s studio, filled with organic pigments and oils. “You can imagine the smell of frankincense and nature,” says AlDhaheri.
2. The Adoration of the Magi by Pieter Coecke van Aelst (circa 1523)
AlDhaheri highlights the diverse scents from nature and luxury items, reflecting the origins of frankincense and the rich, exotic aromas of the Magi’s gifts.
3. Still Life with Chinese Ceramics and an Oriental Carpet by Willem Kalf (1658)
Andrea Rozsavolgyi notes that the painting evokes floral and spicy scents from the 17th century Dutch Golden Age. “The aroma of fresh flowers, salty sea air, and spices would have been prevalent,” Rozsavolgyi comments.
4. The Cup of Chocolate by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1877-1878)
Himanshu Kadam points out that Renoir’s studio would have been filled with the smells of paints, fresh canvases, and the luxurious scents of carnations and roses. “The painting’s context includes the industrial age’s diverse smells and the fresh market breeze,” Kadam adds.
The exploration of these scents offers a novel way to engage with art, extending beyond visual appreciation to a multi-sensory experience.