Brun Sicilien Scent on Canvas 2013

The concept of the fragrance line "scent on canvas" originates from Béatrice Aguilar, who learned the art of perfumery at Antonio Puig in Barcelona and aims to unite painting and scent with her project.
The intermediality of "scent on canvas" should not be understood as a mutual reference and reflection of one medium through the other, but rather as a total work of art, where one medium completes the other: the visual aspect is clearly part of the fragrance experience. The same applies to the knowledge of the inspiration, the history of the scent.

The artist Tano Pisano was inspired by the tapestries of the Florentine Palazzo Davanzati and created a deep brown kaleidoscope of geometric figures based on that.

The fragrance developed by show jumper and perfumer Alexandra Kosinski is a bitter, dry leather scent, whose name "Brun Sicilien" is derived from the corresponding color shade on the artist's palette.
The top and heart notes of the perfume are dominated, in accordance with the concept, by a scent reminiscent of oil paint, whose character evokes thoughts of Nez à Nez fragrances like Atelier d' Artiste or Bal d' Afrique. The strong artificiality that characterizes the scent at this stage evokes images of a studio: palettes with dried oil paint are scattered around, creating a certain scratchiness; brushes are soaking in turpentine in jars, spreading a sharp smell. In experiencing this stage of the fragrance, I fear that Brun Sicilien is more an exciting concept scent than a wearable everyday fragrance.
However, this scent is not only about art, as it should not be forgotten; the creator is a show jumper and therefore very familiar with the scent of leather. Thus, the color "brown" represents not only paint but also natural materials like wood and leather, as well as the warm physicality of horsehair and skin:

"the heat infused by wood as it burns on the fire, the warmth of horse’s hair transmitted to the rider’s body, the heat when wearing leather, and the warmth of a caress"

Although leather, wood, and a hint of something slightly burnt, ashy are strongly present in this scent, I do not perceive it as warm, but rather as bitter. Similar to the classic leathery scent Knize Ten, this bitterness generally suits men better, but it can also work for women who prefer more bitter fragrances. The scent is not clearly bitter; rather, it is characterized by a dark, bitter citrus aroma; it is also very woody, and the distinctly noticeable black pepper adds spice to it.
Only very late in the fragrance development, when the base is almost reached, does it become softer and rounder; it is now pleasantly leathery, the vanilla comes out a bit, not too strong, and the scent is now somewhat comparable to Cuir Beluga, although it is significantly spicier and less vanilla-smooth than that one - at this stage, the scent is simply a beautiful, pleasant, and wearable leather fragrance.

Anyone who wants to see for themselves whether the concept of bringing together painting and scent works here can order a sample set with a 3ml sample of this fragrance and the four other fragrances for 10 euros (+ 2 euros shipping costs) on the homepage of scent on canvas.