Judith (Parfum) by Judith Muller

Judith 1975 Parfum

Sapho
09/28/2025 - 06:55 AM
7
Helpful Review
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8.5
Scent

The perfume of the land where milk and honey flow

Judith Muller was born in Hungary and spent her childhood and youth in the care of her wealthy Jewish family. She dreamed of becoming a perfumer when the Second World War broke out and shattered her dreams. The family fled to Israel and the young woman initially served for a time as a sergeant in the Israeli army. There was a shortage of cosmetics there, so Judith decided to set up her own cosmetics company to supply the army. After her first attempts, she wrote: "I found out I knew more than nothing but less than something aubout beautician's work." She decided to go to Paris to study the art of perfumery. In 1964, she returned to Israel and opened a cosmetics institute and perfume factory in Haifa. Judith had already developed a strategy for her work as a perfumer in Paris. She sought inspiration for her creations in the traditional writings of the Jews, using mainly locally sourced raw materials, which she processed using modern methods. She remained true to this concept throughout her life. She pursued the approach of creating perfumes that relate to certain personalities in the Tanakh. This is how 'Judith' came about, and this perfume is not named after its creator, but after the mythological avenger who first seduced and then massacred the Assyrian general Holofernes. Those who do not have the pretty scene in front of their eyes may enjoy the picture of Artemisia Gentileschi, who lovingly reproduced it in all its gory detail. The perfume was born in 1975, a tart combination of desert rose and herbs of Carmel with a hint of oakmoss and musk. I found the list of perfume notes on Cleopatra's Boudoir. Top notes are aldhyde, fruity notes, bergamot, hyacinth, lemon and orange; heart notes: Jasmine, carnation, orchid, iris, desert rose, cyclamen and ylang ylang; base notes: Oakmoss, sandalwood, musk, amber, cedar, benzoin, caramel and cinnamon. I have to admit that I can't understand the details of this. For me, Judith is an oriental chypre, harsh, powerful, overwhelming, not for the faint-hearted, rather for the more bloodthirsty among my sisters and thus does full justice to its namesake.
13 Comments
SerenissimaSerenissima 8 days ago
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Artemisia Gentileschi's "Judith" has fascinated me ever since I first saw it. But I still prefer Gustav Klimt's "Judith", which I had the pleasure of meeting here in the Alte Nationalgalerie a few months ago: How attractive a painting can be!
And that's why I enjoyed reading your comments here: They make me very curious!
Thank you for this tip!
Medusa00Medusa00 14 days ago
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Oh well, thanks for the interesting review! That sounds like my cup of tea.
SaphoSapho 11 days ago
I can well imagine that you like the scent.
Medusa00Medusa00 14 days ago
um, goes on watchlist....
FloydFloyd 14 days ago
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Very exciting background. It's always interesting to see what motivates people to pursue their vocation.
SaphoSapho 14 days ago
It is always very interesting for me to find out something about the creative minds, it helps me to understand the fragrance better.
MairuwaMairuwa 14 days ago
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Interesting background. The bottle is great; the fragrance sounds as if it were according to Judith. I also think this is a more beautiful embodiment than all the loving depictions of the beheading of Holofernes.
SaphoSapho 14 days ago
After all, fragrances can also kill, just think of Adriana Lecouvreur.
ElAttarineElAttarine 14 days ago
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It sounds and looks dangerous and mysterious. Thanks for introducing us!
ElAttarineElAttarine 14 days ago
Oh well, now you've really got me hooked... @Sapho
SaphoSapho 14 days ago
1
I really believe that wearers of this perfume need a gun license. 🤣
PollitaPollita 14 days ago
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The bottle looks mysterious. As if it contains a magic potion. For me, perfumes are somehow always magic potions.
SaphoSapho 14 days ago
It is said that Judith Muller had all her perfume bottles made by hand using the old amphorae as a model. I only own a mini, but in my opinion the fragrance has not suffered.