The Sense of Smell

Using Puig’s expertise in perfumery and Bestiario’s creative and technological capacities, the aim was to design the world’s first olfactory experience in a museum – an innovative experience that allows visitors of the Museo del Prado discover and interpret this painting, “The Sense of Smell” by Pieter Bruegel and Peter Paul Rubens (1617 – 1618).

Through an interactive interface, visitors will be able to easily access 10 key elements within a digital projection of the artwork. Each carefully selected element is associated with an ingredient and uses a diffusing medium for visitors to smell individually as well as experience a multi-sensory experience while learning more about the historical and social context of the chosen work.

This project has gained international press coverage and proposes a new approach to the Museo del Prado’s art collections, this time through the sense of smell.