FROM THE SCENT OF ROSES TO THE ODOUR OF BLOOD | The Story of Marie Antoinette’s Loyal Perfumer with Sylvia Sagona

Jean-Louis Fargeon owned the most elegant and prosperous boutique in Paris where he concocted the sumptuous perfumes and unlikely pomades that attracted the attention of the fashion conscious Queen. For fourteen years he would create lavish scents to perfectly reflect her moods and personality, and was still supplying her with soothing creams when she was imprisoned in the Temple. As a supporter of the Republic yet purveyor to the queen, Fargeon’s life was constantly in danger.

SYLVIA SAGONA is an internationally recognised specialist on 19th century French society. She retired from the French Department at the University of Melbourne to work on historical documentaries for French and Australian television and is currently researching a book on the invention of the restaurant in Paris.

Martin van Meytens (1695–1770), Portrait of Archduchess Maria Antonia of Austria (Maria Antoinette) at the age of 12 years, circa 1767-1768, Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna