Leonardo da Vinci is a great Italian artist and inventor who lived in the 15th-16th centuries and became famous for such masterpieces as “Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper”. He is also known for his inventions: he created the designs for the first helicopter, parachute, and even a tank in human history. But in addition to his famous achievements, Leonardo had one very unexpected hobby – he was a perfumer, that is, he created perfumes. In addition to aromatic compositions, he also invented terribly smelling substances. For example, he once developed “stink bombs” that included urine and feces. How and why did such a genius engage in such experiments? Let's figure it out!
Leonardo da Vinci was not only an artist and inventor, but also a perfumer! Image source: globallookpress.com
Contents
- 1 What is the Renaissance
- 2 When did the first perfumes appear?
- 3 Leonardo da Vinci perfumer
- 4 Leonardo da Vinci's stink bombs
What is the Renaissance?
Leonardo da Vinci lived during the Renaissance. This period, which spanned the 14th to 17th centuries, was a time of flourishing science, art, and culture. During this era, people began to show interest in the ancient heritage again and sought to combine science and creativity, which was clearly reflected in the works of such geniuses as Leonardo da Vinci himself.
The Renaissance is a very important time in human history. Image source: arthive.com
When did the first perfumes appear
According to historian Caro Verbeek, during the Renaissance, scents played an important role in everyday life. Every day, people were surrounded by a variety of scents, from sweet flowers such as jasmine, lavender, and rose to exotic scents such as almond and orange. There were also less pleasant scents, such as perfumes made from wild privet or rose hips, which many considered disgusting due to their earthy smell.
Today, delicious smells serve an aesthetic function, but in Leonardo da Vinci's time, they were more practical. Perfumes were used in a variety of places, from homes and hospitals to churches. Caro Verbeek explained that some perfumes were made specifically for Catholic church rituals.
Renaissance perfume bottles. Image source: collection.cooperhewitt.org
According to IFL Science, perfumes were also used in everyday life. Caro Verbeek noted that even regular laundry was accompanied by aromas such as lavender. The word “lavender” itself comes from the Latin lavare, which means “to wash, to clean”. At dinner parties, hosts made sure that the aromas of flowers filled the entire room. For example, they soaked napkins in citrus aromas, thereby creating an atmosphere of luxury.
Also during the Renaissance, people believed that pleasant smells protected against diseases. They were sure that the stench caused terrible diseases like the plague. Therefore, aromatic perfumes were often used as a remedy for diseases.
Read also:Who was the very first scientist in human history?
Leonardo da Vinci the perfumer
Historians believe that Leonardo da Vinci became interested in perfumery for the same reason that he was interested in many other sciences – he had a boundless love for all living things. In short, he was fascinated by nature, especially plants, which he studied not only to perfectly depict them in paintings, but also because of the desire to enjoy their aroma.
Leonardo da Vinci can be called a universal person who was interested in everything. Image source: culture.ru
It is believed that the great scientist had all the necessary equipment for making perfume. He knew perfectly well that aromatic substances from plants can be extracted by immersing them in alcohol. With this knowledge, he tried to create his own fragrances. And he was not the only artist interested in smells. Many artists of that time bought materials for making paints in pharmacies, where you could also find ingredients for perfumes.
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Leonardo da Vinci's stink bombs
Among Leonardo da Vinci's many inventions, from helicopters to parachutes, there is one that evokes particular surprise and perhaps even shock. These are his “stink bombs” – one of the most bizarre and unusual inventions of the great genius.
According to the same Caro Verbicki, the main ingredients in one of Leonardo da Vinci's recipes are urine and human feces. He wrote that they should be stored in a glass jar under a layer of manure for a whole month to enhance their unpleasant smell. After that, the composition could be used as a kind of “stink bomb”, which probably served for protection or to scare off criminals.
Now we know about another very unusual invention of Leonardo da Vinci. Image source: dzen.ru
Leonardo da Vinci left behind not only great inventions and masterpieces, but also many mysteries. His experiments with fragrances and even “stink bombs” only emphasize his versatility and originality.
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What if his legacy lives on beyond his works? If you're wondering who the great scientist's modern descendants are, read this article.