Parfumerie Fine: Vachon-Bachoux et Cie. 1800 - 1900

This advertisement for Vachon-Bauvoux & Cie., a Parisian perfumery, employs an array of symbols intended to stir the senses. The visual field is framed by flowers – roses, poppies, wisteria – evoking the natural origins of the fragrances, but the owl is of particular interest. Positioned centrally beneath the company name, it suggests wisdom and nocturnal allure, aligning the perfumes with both knowledge and the mysteries of the night. We may consider Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, whose sacred animal was the owl. It has often been associated with keen intellect and secrets, but also the darker side of human nature. The owl’s presence encourages a reading beyond the purely commercial, inviting viewers to connect with the advertisement on a deeper, perhaps subconscious level. It is a symbol rooted in collective memory, continually resurfacing and evolving in meaning across time. It may have appeared throughout history, yet it continues to engage the human psyche.