The history of perfumes, from ancient times to the present day

rose marquez

Fragrances have served various functions throughout history. In early civilizations, perfume had a spiritual purpose: it was used as an offering to honor the gods, and its use was linked to ritual practices. In classical Greece, its association with Aphrodite reinforced its erotic dimension and turned it into a symbol of desire, an aphrodisiac, while in the Middle Ages, it was attributed therapeutic and healing properties, highly valued in times of epidemics.

With the Renaissance, perfume took on a more luxurious dimension, as part of the resurgence of art, sensuality, and courtly refinement. This trend culminated in the 18th century, when at the court of Versailles—famous for its sophistication and theatricality—perfume became an essential part of the daily life of the aristocracy.

The Industrial Revolution marked a turning point: perfume ceased to be a handcrafted product, made at home with recipes passed down from generation to generation, and transformed into an industry driven by chemistry and mass production. This technical transition was also aesthetic and symbolic: perfume began to be democratized, integrated into the logic of the market, and become an object of desire accessible to new social strata.

The course proposes to approach this evolution from a transversal perspective, connecting the history of perfume with its role in fashion, brand building, and the visual and cultural narratives that accompany it. Far from being considered a mere accessory, perfume becomes a form of intimate yet collective expression, serving to understand the changes and developments throughout history.

With this approach, the Rey Juan Carlos University highlights a little-explored aspect of perfume: its ability to condense imaginaries, mark eras, and become a symbol of identity. This educational event features representatives of luxury brands such as Loewe, along with experts from the academic world, who offer a critical and multidisciplinary perspective on perfume as a cultural phenomenon.