Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci offers a fascinating journey into the works of the Renaissance and its perfumes. This exhibition catalogue takes you through the daily life of Leonardo da Vinci and the legacy of his mother, Caterina, who came from the shores of the Black Sea where she was sold as a slave.

The book delves into the scents of this brilliant era: the spices, incense, and musks of Constantinople, as well as the perfumed costumes of Venice, Florence, Milan, and the court of Francis I of France. It highlights the plants such as olive, jasmine, juniper, lemon, and orange tree from the Tuscan master's childhood. Additionally, it covers the smells of the workshop, including walnut and linseed oils, rabbit-skin glue, resins, waxes, and fats.

Leonardo himself concocted fragrant recipes, from the most delicate to the most intense, using enfleurage and distillation techniques. This insightful catalogue presents an enriching exploration of the aromatic world of the Renaissance through the lens of one of history's most revered figures.