Royal aroma. Perfumes that Catherine Medici loved in the XVI century is still sold

In the sixteenth century, among political upheavals and royal intricacies, one woman stood out not only with her influence on European diplomacy, but also with the love of art and the creation of a relevant time of luxury. Kateryna Medici, Florentine aristocrat, married the French king and left an indelible mark in history. In addition to her political role, Catherine's passion for art has spread to the amazing sphere - a world of perfume, Grunge writes.

In focus, technology appeared its Telegram channel. Subscribe not to miss the latest and most intrusive news from the world of science! In 1533, Catherine ordered a fragrance in honor of her wedding with the future King Henry II. At that time, she was only 14 years old, but throughout her adulthood she continued to associate with perfumes and lit fashion for fragrances at the royal yards of Europe.

These religious perfumes, known while Acqua della Regina, and today as Acqua di Santa Maria Novella, created dominicists at the XIII century Florentine, located in the church of Santa Maria Novella. In this pharmacy, which still works, has introduced an innovative element in perfume production - an alcohol basis. This has ensured a longer preservation of the aroma before it became unpleasant.

A century later, this aroma, created from the basic notes of musk and patchouli, supplemented with notes of herbs and extracts, such as rosemary, citrus, neroli, cloves and lavender. The recipe transmitted through time conveys the essence of the sophistication and cultural influence of Catherine. In the XIII century, when these perfumes appeared, they served the goals that went beyond simple luxury. Europe has fought deadly diseases, in particular with a tambourine or "black death".

Believing that diseases spread through the smell, people turned to perfumes and nasal remedies to prevent them from being infected. However, Catherine Medici went even further. Instead of traditionally applying perfumes to the neck or wrist, it has popularized the use of perfume gloves. These flavored accessories, an inseparable part of its wedding attire, became its business card at the yard. Under the influence of the Queen, fashion on perfume gloves spread throughout Europe.

Medici, known for her love for perfumed gloves, from time to time gave specially made couples to friends and relatives. It was rumored that she used a toxic substance for gloves designed for Jeanne D'Albre, the queen of Navarre, mother of her daughter's future husband. However, historical evidence does not confirm these theories. Catherine Medici's fragrant heritage lives not only in the persistent aroma of Acqua di Santa Maria Novella, but also in the cultural changes she started.

Its impact on the use of perfumes and the creation of fragrant accessories in medieval Europe reveals the amazing dimension of a woman, which is often remembered by her political activity. Earlier, Focus wrote about Ibrahim of the crazy. Historians have explained why he is considered a "worst" Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. And we also talked about the hero of Ancient Rome.