Venus in Perfume: A History of Eroticism in Fragrance

The saying 'sex sells' has shaped fragrance advertising for a century. But the link between perfume and eroticism began long before glossy magazines or even the idea of money. In Venus in Perfume, historian and perfumer Nuri McBride will guide you along an aromatic journey from the perfume-drenched statues of sex goddesses to the olfactive aesthetics of contemporary attraction. We will plot how sacred and profane desires shaped the development of fragrance history.

Once, manufactured fragrances were a strictly guarded cultural object that signified power, whether that of the Temple or the Palace. Perfume glorified institutions, not individuals. Yet perfume’s early connections to the Divine Erotic allowed it to translate into the carnal desires of mortals and thus enter the realm of personal expression and creativity.

Optional take-home activities

Far more than a marketing gimmick, love and eroticism have been driving forces behind the creative and cultural development of fragrance since…