L'Odorat (Smell) from the series Les Cinq Senses (The Five Senses)

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

François Boucher, a leading figure of the French Rococo style, created “L’Odorat” as one of five allegorical works exploring the senses. Active from the 1720s through the 1770s, Boucher was celebrated for his graceful figures, soft pastel palettes, and lighthearted scenes that captured the refined tastes of Louis XV’s court. The series format allowed him to personify sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell through elegant, often playful compositions that appealed to aristocratic collectors. In the eighteenth century, allegories of the five senses were popular in decorative arts and prints, serving both as visual entertainment and subtle reminders of human perception and pleasure. Boucher’s contribution would have fit seamlessly into this tradition, likely featuring a graceful female figure accompanied by symbolic elements such as flowers or perfume vessels to evoke the sense of smell. Now part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection through the generosity of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt, the work continues to invite viewers to appreciate how Rococo artists transformed everyday experiences into refined visual poetry. Research on its precise medium and production details remains ongoing.