The Sense of Smell 1700 - 1770

Edme Bouchardon created this chalk drawing, "The Sense of Smell," during the height of the French Rococo. At the time, the hierarchy of the senses placed sight above smell, yet here Bouchardon elevates the olfactory to a position of classical virtue. A semi-nude, androgynous figure carries a vase of flowers, their heady scent seemingly the source of their strength. Below them, a dog sniffs the ground, its keen nose grounding the image in the earthly realm. The choice to depict smell through both human and animal reinforces its primal, universal nature. Bouchardon, steeped in classical tradition, subtly challenges the established order. The drawing captures the fleeting, invisible quality of scent, transforming it into a tangible, almost heroic form. This piece invites us to consider how our senses shape our understanding of the world and challenges us to appreciate the often-overlooked power of smell. It's a reminder of how deeply our senses are intertwined with our emotions and memories.