Smell that? We are standing in front of the Museo del Profumo. This museum is not just about smelling nice. It is about the history and art of perfumes.
The Museo del Profumo in Milan opened its doors in 2004. It resides on Via Messina 55. Here you can explore 200 years of Italian and global perfumery history. The museum houses around 2000 perfume bottles. It also features artworks, paintings, and prints related to perfumes.
Note that this is not an olfactory museum. The Museo del Profumo focuses on the story of perfumes. It explores the people and events that shaped their creation and success. From early 2016, the museum also covers beauty and cosmetics.
Inside the Museo del Profumo, you will find original creations. These were crafted by famous artists like Salvador Dalí and René Lalique. You’ll also see works by Carlo Scarpa, Fulvio Bianconi, and Julien Viard.
Visits to the Museo del Profumo are by guided tour only. These tours are available at 10 am and 3 pm. It costs 15 euros per person with a minimum of two visitors. A single personalized tour is 30 euros. Tours are in Italian. You can arrange a visit by emailing museodelprofumo@virgilio.it or calling 349.690.1045.
The Museo del Profumo welcomes a maximum of 22 people per visit. The tour lasts about 90 minutes. You will see rare objects. You will learn about the masters who created famous perfumes from the 16th century to the 1960s. Crystal producers, advertising experts, and actresses played a role in this history.
The Museo del Profumo studies the art of glass for perfumery. It looks at works from the 19th and 20th centuries. Designers and artists created legendary masterpieces. Highlights include René Lalique’s “Scarabée”. There’s also “Le Roy Soleil” by Salvador Dali. Don’t miss “Contessa Azzurra”. It’s a perfume by Giuseppe Visconti di Modrone. Another iconic piece is Elsa Schiaparelli’s “Shocking” signed by Léonor Fini. You’ll also find perfumes by Paul Poiret and Jean Patou.
Daniela Candio and Giorgio Dalla Villa founded the Museo del Profumo. Daniela is the granddaughter of the former owner of Profumeria Vecchia Milano. This was one of Milan’s oldest perfume shops. They began collecting bottles at markets and auctions.
The founders also publish a magazine called “Profumeria da Collezione”. It is about vintage perfumery. They research European and American perfumery to understand the Italian sector.
Perfume has mirrored social evolution. During WWII, Casa di Profumo Rudy included perfume bottles in furniture. These became status symbols. After the war, workers surrounded themselves with perfume items. It was a way to show their new status.
Many artists worked in perfumery. These include René Lalique and Julien Viard. Italian artists like Fulvio Bianconi and Carlo Scarpa also contributed. Some fragrances took their names from the bottles themselves.
Synthetic substances changed perfumery. In 1884, Paul Parquet created Fougère Royale using coumarin. This created a scent of undergrowth that does not exist in nature.
France and Italy had different styles. French perfumers created scents for women who wanted to enhance their charm. Italian perfumers made fragrances that were good but did not focus on sensuality.
The Museo del Profumo also shares stories. One is about Gregory Thomas. During WWII, he smuggled jasmine from Grasse to the US for Chanel N°5.
The Museo del Profumo is more than just seeing objects. It is a journey into history, design, and art. It is a place where myths and tales come to life.