Smell 1635 - 1638

"Smell" is an engraving by Abraham Bosse, made in the 17th century. During this time, representations of the five senses were in vogue, reflecting broader cultural interests in sensory experiences. In "Smell," a woman of the privileged class delicately raises a flower to her nose. Her elaborate dress and surroundings denote wealth, while she embodies an ideal of feminine refinement. The image and accompanying text suggest that scent is a source of pleasure, an indulgence that is afforded to the upper classes. Bosse was interested in accurately depicting the fashions of the aristocratic society to which he had no access. He also made images representing the other four senses: touch, taste, sight and hearing. "Smell" not only captures the material culture of 17th-century France but also reveals the gendered and class-based dimensions of sensory experience. This print invites us to consider how society shapes our perceptions and pleasures.