Il Giardino Delle Delizie transports you to the surreal and symbolic world of Hieronymus Bosch’s masterpiece, The Garden of Earthly Delights, exhibited at the El Prado museum in Madrid. This fragrance mirrors the triptych’s intricate exploration of human vices and pleasures, capturing the richness and complexity of its symbolism in an olfactory form.
The scent opens with a vibrant and intriguing blend of rosewood, davana, saffron, plum, and almond milk, evoking the opulence and indulgence of Bosch’s fantastical garden. These top notes are a sensory invitation to experience the surreal—a world where pleasure and excess dance in harmony. The almond milk adds a touch of softness, making the start of this fragrance both comforting and enticing, while the saffron and davana introduce a subtle spiciness that draws you deeper.
At the heart of the fragrance lies a lush bouquet of tuberose, sambac jasmine, osmanthus, rose, narcissus, and immortelle, a floral explosion that reflects the sensuality and beauty within the painting. These notes, with their creamy and intoxicating qualities, symbolize the allure of desire and temptation, much like the figures in Bosch’s work who are drawn to both earthly pleasures and sins. The richness of tuberose and jasmine adds depth and warmth, while the delicate rose and narcissus maintain a sense of elegance and purity amidst the extravagance.
As the fragrance settles, the base notes of benzoin, myrrh, styrax, orris fusion, Kashmir fusion, suede, vetiver, amber, and musk create a grounding, leathery warmth. These notes, with their spicy and leathery accords, represent the hidden dangers beneath pleasure—the darker, more mysterious aspects of the garden. The myrrh and amber bring a resinous, almost sacred element, while the suede and vetiver offer a smooth, sophisticated finish, reminiscent of Bosch’s depiction of humanity’s underlying complexities.
