Viridarium: The Newest Perfume from Maria Candida Gentile

Viridarium, the newest perfume from Maria Candida Gentile, is a captivating olfactory experience that captures the essence of ancient Roman gardens. Inspired by the frescoes from the underground hall of Livia Drusilla’s villa, the fragrance seeks to recreate the scents and atmosphere of this lush, vibrant garden. With top notes of mandarin, bergamot, clary sage, and a green accord, and heart notes of chamomile flowers, wild herbs, poppy leaves, macerated date, carnation, and beeswax, Viridarium is a harmonious blend of aromatic and woody aromas. As an homage to the original frescoes, Maria Candida Gentile has successfully crafted a fragrance that transports the wearer to a liminal space suspended between our ancestral past and her divergent current style.

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Gardens of Ancient Rome: Inspiration for Viridarium

The gardens of ancient Rome have long been a source of inspiration for artists, writers, and designers. Their lush beauty and vibrant colors have captivated imaginations for centuries. The latest creation from Italian perfumery Maria Candida Gentile, Viridarium, draws inspiration from these ancient gardens.

The frescoes from the underground hall of the Villa of Livia Drusilla, located in Prima Porta, Rome, were the specific inspiration for Viridarium. These frescoes, dating back to the 1st century B.C., depict a lush and intricate garden. Now housed in the National Roman Museum, these frescoes serve as a visual representation of the beauty and splendor of ancient Roman gardens.

Maria Candida Gentile personally compiled a botanical list based on the frescoes, aiming to recreate the scents and fragrances that would have been present in an ancient Roman garden. The botanical list includes a wide variety of plants and flowers, such as apple, quince, pomegranate, laurel, spruce, cypress, rose, violet, ivy, chrysanthemum, and iris.

Recreating the sensations and atmosphere of an ancient Roman garden proved to be a challenge. The combination of plants and flowers depicted in the frescoes creates a complex and seasonally impossible blend. However, Maria Candida Gentile’s expertise in perfume making allowed her to overcome these challenges and create an olfactory representation of this ancient garden.

The Fragrance Profile of Viridarium

Viridarium is a perfume with a unique fragrance profile that captures the essence of an ancient Roman garden. It is described as aromatic and woody, with a complex combination of top, heart, and base notes.

The top notes of Viridarium consist of mandarin, bergamot, clary sage, and a green accord. These notes provide a fresh and uplifting opening, reminiscent of the citrus trees that would have been present in the gardens.

The heart notes of Viridarium are floral and herbal, with chamomile flowers, wild herbs, poppy leaves, macerated date, carnation, and beeswax. These notes add depth and complexity to the fragrance, evoking the scents of various flowers and plants found in the gardens.

The base notes of Viridarium are exotic woods, incense, cypress, elm, and white fir. These notes provide a warm and grounding base, reminiscent of the trees and plants that would have provided shade and shelter in the gardens.

Overall, Viridarium is a fragrance that captures the essence of an ancient Roman garden, evoking the scents of citrus trees, flowers, and woods.

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Maria Candida Gentile: The Perfumer Behind Viridarium

Maria Candida Gentile is the perfumer behind Viridarium, bringing her unique approach to perfume making and her use of botanical ingredients to create this fragrance. Gentile has a personal approach to perfume making, ensuring that each fragrance she creates is a reflection of her artistic vision.

Gentile’s use of botanical ingredients in her fragrances sets her apart from other perfumers. She personally compiled a botanical list based on the frescoes from the underground hall of the Villa of Livia Drusilla, using these ingredients to recreate the scents and fragrances of an ancient Roman garden.

The inspiration behind the creation of Viridarium comes from Gentile’s desire to capture the sensations and atmosphere of the ancient Roman garden depicted in the frescoes. Through her artistry and expertise, Gentile was able to bring this vision to life in the form of a fragrance.

The Artistry of Viridarium

Viridarium is not only a fragrance but a work of art in its own right. The bottle design and packaging of Viridarium reflect the intricate detail and beauty of the frescoes that inspired it.

The bottle features intricate designs and is filled with images of birds, including goldfinches, doves, and robins. These birds were depicted in the frescoes and serve as a symbol of the vitality and life that would have been present in the ancient Roman garden.

The combination of plants and flowers depicted in the frescoes is also reflected in the artistry of the fragrance. The perfumer carefully selected and blended various botanical ingredients to create a fragrance that captures the essence of these ancient gardens.

Overall, Viridarium is a fragrance that embodies the artistry and beauty of the ancient Roman gardens that inspired it.

Challenges in Creating Viridarium

Creating Viridarium presented several challenges for Maria Candida Gentile. The first challenge was in reproducing the olfactory experience of an ancient Roman garden. The combination of plants and flowers depicted in the frescoes created a complex and seasonally impossible blend that was difficult to recreate as a perfume.

Another challenge was capturing the unique and liminal nature of the fragrance. Viridarium exists in a space suspended between our ancestral past and Gentile’s divergent current style. Recreating this unique combination required careful blending and composition of the fragrance notes.

Despite these challenges, Gentile was able to overcome them and create a fragrance that captures the essence of an ancient Roman garden in a unique and artistic way.

The Fragrance Notes of Viridarium

Viridarium is composed of several fragrance notes that combine to create its unique scent profile.

The top notes of Viridarium include mandarin, bergamot, clary sage, and a green accord. These notes provide a fresh and uplifting opening, reminiscent of the citrus trees and herbs found in an ancient Roman garden.

The heart notes of Viridarium include chamomile, wild herbs, poppy leaves, macerated date, carnation, and beeswax. These notes add depth and complexity to the fragrance, evoking the scents of various flowers and plants found in the gardens.

The base notes of Viridarium include exotic woods, incense, cypress, elm, and white fir. These notes provide a warm and grounding base, reminiscent of the trees and plants that would have provided shade and shelter in the gardens.

Overall, the fragrance notes of Viridarium create a balanced and complex scent that captures the essence of an ancient Roman garden.

Perfume Critics’ Reactions to Viridarium

Upon its release, Viridarium garnered anticipation and excitement from perfume critics and fragrance enthusiasts alike. The unique concept and inspiration behind the fragrance piqued the interest of many.

Positive reviews and feedback praised Viridarium for its ability to capture the essence of an ancient Roman garden. Critics noted the intricate detail and artistry of the fragrance, as well as its ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia and transport the wearer to a different time and place.

However, there were also some critiques and areas for improvement identified by critics. Some felt that the fragrance could benefit from a stronger projection and longevity, while others found certain notes to be overpowering or unbalanced.

Overall, the reaction to Viridarium was largely positive, with critics acknowledging its unique and artistic nature while also providing constructive feedback for potential improvements.

Other Perfumes from Maria Candida Gentile

Maria Candida Gentile is known for her unique and artistic approach to perfume making. In addition to Viridarium, she has created a portfolio of fragrances that showcase her signature style and themes.

Exploring Maria Candida Gentile’s brand portfolio reveals a range of diverse and captivating fragrances. Each fragrance is a reflection of Gentile’s artistic vision and her use of botanical ingredients to create complex and evocative scents.

Comparisons to Viridarium can be drawn within Gentile’s brand portfolio, as there are similar themes and fragrant profiles present in her other creations. However, Viridarium stands out for its unique inspiration and the challenge it presented in capturing the essence of an ancient Roman garden.

How to Wear and Enjoy Viridarium

Viridarium is a versatile fragrance that can be worn and enjoyed in various settings and seasons. Its aromatic and woody profile makes it suitable for both daytime and evening wear.

For daytime wear, Viridarium can be layered lightly on pulse points for a fresh and uplifting scent. The citrus and herbal notes provide a refreshing and invigorating aura, perfect for a spring or summer day.

For evening wear, Viridarium can be applied more generously to create a warm and inviting scent. The base notes of exotic woods and incense provide a sensual and comforting vibe, ideal for a cozy winter night.

Viridarium can also be layered with other fragrances to create a unique and personalized scent. Experimenting with different combinations can enhance and complement the various notes in Viridarium, allowing for a customized olfactory experience.

When applying Viridarium, it is recommended to spritz or dab the fragrance on pulse points, such as the wrists, neck, and behind the ears. This allows the fragrance to interact with the warmth of the skin, enhancing its longevity and projection.

Conclusion: Viridarium’s Place in Fragrance Industry

Viridarium’s unique and artistic nature sets it apart in the fragrance industry. Its inspiration from the ancient Roman gardens and the careful selection and blending of fragrance notes create a fragrance that captivates the senses.

Maria Candida Gentile’s expertise in perfume making and her personal approach to fragrance creation have resulted in a masterpiece that embodies the beauty and essence of an ancient Roman garden.

Viridarium’s implications for the future of Maria Candida Gentile and the fragrance industry as a whole are significant. It showcases the brand’s commitment to creating unique and evocative scents, using botanical ingredients and artistic interpretations.

As fragrance enthusiasts continue to seek out new and captivating scents, Viridarium stands as a testament to the artistry and creativity of perfume makers like Maria Candida Gentile. Its place in the fragrance industry is one of innovation, inspiration, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of the natural world.

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