The Sense of Smell 1744 - 1747

Philippe Mercier painted ‘The Sense of Smell’, an oil on canvas, portraying an allegorical scene with figures representing the pleasures of scent. The gentleman inhaling the melon and another presenting flowers are dominant visual symbols that reflect the contemporary fascination with sensory experience. The act of smelling, particularly flowers, echoes motifs found in Renaissance allegories of the senses, but here, it’s intertwined with leisure and hunting—observe the dog and dead game. This blending reflects a shift towards more secular interpretations of sensory delight. The flower, a symbol across cultures and ages, has a complex history. From ancient fertility rites to its use in religious iconography, symbolizing purity and renewal, the presentation of flowers here evolves into an emblem of refined pleasure, yet retains echoes of its deeper, more primal associations. Such depictions tap into a collective memory, engaging viewers on a subconscious level, where the simple act of smelling becomes a potent reminder of life’s fleeting beauty and the ever-present cycle of nature.