Exhibition "Scents of History: From Cleopatra to Napoleon"

2025

From a historical perspective, Lithuania’s political, military, and diplomatic ties with Western and Eastern countries had a significant influence on the development of Lithuanian culture and customs. Until the 13th century, Lithuania was influenced by Eastern culture, but from the Renaissance onwards, it began to look more to the West. Western fashions influenced not only the arts – the Lithuanian nobility and townspeople also adopted elements that were important to Western society in their everyday lives. One such element was perfume.

The Lithuanian Education Museum, together with perfumer Jolanta Cinaitiene, invites you to breathe in the aromas of history and symbolically embark on a journey to meet personalities from different historical periods who have directly and indirectly influenced Lithuanian cultural life.

The exhibition “Scents of History: From Cleopatra to Napoleon” uses a symbolic timeline to present recreations of the scents and perfumes used by historical figures such as Cleopatra, Avicenna, Queen Elizabeth of Hungary, Mumtaz Mahal, Louis XIV, Marie Antoinette and Napoleon Bonaparte.

Historical figures and their personal rituals continue to spark people’s curiosity even centuries later.

Scent is a powerful social message, and perfume is an intimate means of conveying one’s personal philosophy of life.

The exhibition will run until December 10.

Opening hours: Monday–Thursday 8am–5pm, Friday 8am–3:45pm, Saturday 10am–4:45pm.

Admission to the exhibition is €5 per person. Tickets are sold at the exhibition venue.

Information: raudondvariodvaras@gmail.com or +370 656 50755.

The exhibition is organized by:

Lithuanian Education Museum, Raudondvario dvaras

Exhibition sponsor:

BIOCOS