Scent is an ephemeral art, it cannot be seen, but can be felt. However, artists and photographers have tried to capture it in their works for centuries. Atmospheric photos of perfume help to convey the invisible scent, creating an emotional connection between the image and the imagination of the viewer. How to convey scent on canvas or photography? Through color, texture, symbolism, associations. Perfume, flowers, smoke, textiles – all this becomes tools that allow the viewer to “feel” the aroma without even inhaling it.
In this article, we will look at how painters, photographers, and contemporary digital artists have used visual techniques to create the effect of smell in art.
Smells in Classical Painting: Flowers, Fruits and Symbolism
Since ancient times, artists have tried to convey aromas through the depiction of objects that evoke associative smells in the viewer. In classical painting, aroma was symbolized by certain elements:
● Bouquets of flowers – symbolized freshness, romance, seductiveness. For example, still lifes of Dutch masters of the 17th century often included peonies, roses, lilies, jasmine, which conveyed rich fragrant compositions.
● Fruits and spices are common in Baroque works. For example, citrus fruits symbolized lightness and freshness, while cinnamon and nutmeg symbolized warm, spicy aromas.
● Smoke and incense – used in religious scenes to create a mystical, mysterious atmosphere. In the works of Caravaggio and Vermeer, glowing smoke symbolized incense and aromatic oils.
Example: “Vase of Irises” by Vincent Van Gogh – the combination of yellow and purple colors conveys the feeling of a warm summer filled with the aromas of nature.
Impressionists and the transmission of lightness and freshness in fragrances
Impressionist artists such as Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Edgar Degas sought to convey not only a visual image but also the atmosphere of the moment. They used light, blurry brushstrokes, and airy colors to create a sense of lightness and freshness.
How did they convey the aromas?
● Blurred spots of color created the effect of a light, invisible aroma enveloping the space.
● Vibrant natural scenes – the paintings often depicted lavender fields, gardens, and flowering trees, creating a sense of fragrant nature.
● Subtle shimmers of light conveyed the morning freshness, the feeling of morning dew and damp air.
Example: “The Artist’s Garden at Giverny” by Claude Monet – the combination of colors and the play of light evoke associations with the aromas of flowers, fresh grass and summer air.
Surrealists: Invisible Fragrance in Symbols and Textures
Surrealists such as Salvador Dali and Rene Magritte used allegory and metaphor to convey invisible feelings, including smell. They experimented with shapes, unexpected combinations, and strange images, forcing the viewer to think and feel.
What techniques did the surrealists use?
● The distortion of forms symbolized the ephemerality of the scent, its variability and fluidity.
● Objects associated with smells – flowers, perfumes, smoke, liquids, often depicted in unexpected contexts.
● Playing with perception – for example, Dali used images of melting objects in his works, creating the illusion of slowly dissolving smells.
Example: Salvador Dali’s “The Scent of the Invisible” is an advertising campaign where the scent is conveyed through wavy lines depicting a perfume cloud.
Photographers and the visualization of smell in contemporary culture
Modern photographers have also found ways to convey scents through images. They use light, movement, texture, and playing with objects to create associative sensations in the viewer.
What techniques do photographers use?
● Smoke and steam create the effect of the aroma’s volatility and its presence in the air.
● Macro photography – allows you to capture the smallest details, such as drops of essential oil or the texture of petals.
● Color gradients and filters – used to enhance the emotions of the aroma (warm shades – for vanilla and spicy aromas, cold – for fresh citrus).
Example: The work of Nicolas Parfege – the photographer conveys scents through soft rays of light, silk textures and the play of shadows, creating a sense of warm, mysterious scent.
Digital art and 3D visualization of fragrances
With the development of technology, artists began to use digital tools to convey aromas in art. Graphics, animation, 3D visualization allow you to literally “see” smells.
Modern ways of conveying aroma in digital art:
● Abstract shapes and lines create the effect of movement and volatility of the scent.
● Neon light elements help convey a feeling of freshness and lightness.
● 3D animation of drops, smoke and air – imitate aromatic molecules dissolving in space.
Example: The Digital Scents project is an experimental visualization of scents using dynamic 3D models that reflect the structure of the scent.
Artists and photographers have been looking for ways to convey scents through visual images for centuries. From classical painting to digital art, each period has contributed its own techniques and methods that allow the viewer to literally “feel” the scent.
The main ways of conveying aroma in art:
● Still lifes of flowers and fruits in painting.
● Impressionistic play of light and color.
● Surrealist allegories and symbolism.
● Photographic techniques: smoke, macro photography, textures.
● Modern digital techniques: 3D visualization, animation.
Thanks to these techniques, the aroma becomes visible and the art becomes even more multifaceted and sensual.
Questions and Answers
They depicted flowers, fruits, incense and used symbolism to create associations with scents.
Photographers use smoke, textures, macro photography, and digital artists use 3D visualization and animation.
Impressionism conveys freshness and lightness, surrealism – mystery and depth, and digital art – the dynamics and molecular structure of scents.