DÜSSELDORF, Germany — Have you ever imagined the scent of war, the aroma of love, or the pungent odor of medieval Paris? A groundbreaking exhibition in Germany is inviting visitors to embark on a sensory journey through history by exploring 81 distinct fragrances across 37 galleries. Titled ‘The Secret Power of Scents,’ the exhibition, which opened on Wednesday at the Kunstpalast museum in Düsseldorf, seamlessly blends art and olfactory experiences to traverse over 1,000 years of cultural history.
Curated as an experimental exploration, the exhibition encourages visitors to engage with history through their sense of smell. ‘This is an invitation to discover the history of scents with your nose,’ said Felix Krämer, the museum’s director general. The exhibition is organized chronologically, from medieval religious artifacts to contemporary 21st-century art. Each gallery is equipped with scent steles, atomizers, and diffusers to evoke the aromas of specific time periods or cultural contexts.
One gallery immerses visitors in the sacred fragrance of myrrh, used in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam for prayer and purification. In contrast, a World War I-themed gallery releases a jarring blend of gunpowder, blood, and sulfur, eliciting visceral reactions from visitors. ‘Anyone who has experienced war will recognize its brutality in this scent,’ said curator Robert Müller-Grünow, a leading expert in scent technology.
The exhibition also explores the romantic side of history, with a gallery dedicated to Peter Paul Rubens’ 1610 painting ‘Venus and Adonis,’ diffusing the scents of roses and civet, once considered erotic in the 17th century. Meanwhile, the stench of medieval Paris—a mix of canalization, mold, and unwashed bodies—offers a stark contrast.
The 1920s are celebrated with the uplifting aroma of tobacco, vanilla, and leather, accompanying Gert Wollheim’s 1924 painting ‘Farewell from Düsseldorf,’ which symbolizes the liberation of women. Modern art is represented through scents reminiscent of global brands like Coca-Cola and Eurowings, alongside contemporary fragrances like ‘Iso E Super,’ a velvety, cedarwood-like scent designed to enhance attractiveness.
Running through March 8, the exhibition has captivated visitors like Kirsten Gnoth, who described the experience as ‘completely new and exciting.’ By combining art with scents, the exhibition offers a unique and immersive way to explore history.