The arts of the Bolognese painting tradition and contemporary perfumery meet in the project Sogni di natura (Dreams of Nature), an olfactory path designed for the Sala Boschereccia of the Collezioni Comunali d’Arte in Bologna, on the occasion of the 57th edition of Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna. The path is designed to evoke nature, the poetic dimension and the typical awakening of spring. The initiative, running from March 25 to April 19, 2026, is promoted by the Civic Museums of Ancient Art of the Municipality of Bologna, in collaboration with Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna and the Italian Perfumery Institute of Milan, a center of higher education born from the experience of Esxence - The Art Perfumery Event.
The installation consists of six olfactory stations, each designed to take the public on a sensory journey through natural essences, botanical references and evocative atmospheres. The selection of raw materials and the construction of the olfactory accords were made with the contribution of the students of the Italian Perfumery Institute, who were inspired by the green decorations that cover the walls of the Boschereccia Hall. These paintings create the illusion of a garden, influenced by the taste for the antique and enhanced by the presence in the center of the room of Antonio Canova’sApollino (1797), which depicts the god of the sun and poetry as a young man with harmonious and perfect forms.
The encounter between art and perfumery aims to foster new connections between Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna and the city’s cultural heritage. Aiming to enrich the experience of professionals from all over the world, from March 25-29, 2026, visitors holding Cosmoprof tickets can gain free access to the Municipal Art Collections and discover the installation Dreams of Nature, which will then remain open to the public until April 19.
For this project, students from the Italian Perfumery Institute developed a creative path by transforming the space into an olfactory narrative. The work began with a study and analysis phase: the historical and symbolic identity of the Hall, along with its natural suggestions and contemporary role, guided the initial choice of raw materials. Each essence was evaluated not only for its technical characteristics, but also for its evocative capacity. The selection of fragrances was accompanied by an in-depth cultural study, which enabled students to recognize and interpret historical references with greater awareness.
From this base, two olfactory accords were developed and presented in the exhibition together with four raw materials. Each composition arises from a balance between contrasts and harmonies, with the aim of conveying sensations, images and atmospheres. The final result is an olfactory reading of the Boschereccia Room, told through the invisible language of perfume: a green and luminous freshness, traversed by a soft and contemplative light, in which nature becomes a sensory tale.
Flora
A fragrance inspired by the goddess of spring and awakening nature. In the ceiling of the Sala Boschereccia, Flora dialogues with Zephyrus in a bright green setting. The fragrance opens with bright citrus notes, evolving into a floral heart of rose and jasmine, evoking the energy and delicacy of the spring season.
Woodsy
This accord recalls the painted walls of the Hall, characterized by lush, enveloping vegetation, shot through with aquatic hues. Light brackish notes emerge, reminiscent of the fresh air near a fountain, while the shadows of the trees lend depth and vitality.
Rose
Among the most prized raw materials in perfumery, rose often represents the central note of the most elegant fragrances. Its profile is extremely rich: citrus, spicy and vegetal accents emerge alongside delicate floral nuances, supported by a warm, slightly honeyed base.
Lemon Blossom
A bright and delicate fragrance, combining citrus and floral notes. Soft and enveloping, it releases a velvety freshness that recalls the image of white petals illuminated by the sun.
Aquatic notes
A light and transparent accord, characterized by a subtle saline undertone. Reminiscent of moist air near water, capable of conveying simultaneous stillness and movement.
Woody accord
A green, moist and soft composition in which earthy and woody notes blend with musky accents. It evokes a hidden clearing, crossed by rays of light filtered through the leaves, conveying a feeling of calm and natural depth.
In the 18th century, the term “delightful” indicated an elegantly decorated room intended for pleasure and leisure. In Bologna, between the late 18th and mid-19th centuries, these rooms took the form of the so-called “country rooms” or “boscherecce,” characterized by pictorial decorations that transformed the space into an illusory landscape. The painted architectures open onto imaginary natural scenery, creating depth and inviting the eye to get lost in the distance. These environments were often found on the ground floor of palaces and villas, in continuity with outdoor gardens. Among the most famous examples is the room created in 1797 on the second floor of the present-day Town Hall. Here the painter and stage designer Vincenzo Martinelli depicted landscapes with lakes, gardens and illusionistic architecture, while Giuseppe Valiani painted putti and mythological figures, including Zephyrus and Flora in the center of the ceiling.
The main theme is water, also recalled by decorative elements such as shells. Originally, the windows overlooked a botanical garden and an Italian garden, creating an immersive experience of real sounds and scents, now evoked by the installation.
During the opening period of Dreams of Nature, the public will be able to participate in several initiatives dedicated to learning more about the Boschereccia Room and its decorative apparatus. The activities will provide an understanding of how the painted landscapes inspired the creation of the new fragrances, transformed into true olfactory narratives that accompany visitors on a sensory journey.
Saturday, March 28, 2026
4 p.m. guided tour with Alessia Alberani (fragrance expert) and Pierre-Yves Theler (art historian)
4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. extraordinary mediation in Sala Boschereccia
Sunday, March 29, 2026
4 p.m. guided tour Beauty yesterday, today and tomorrow, curated by Untitled
Sunday, April 12, 2026
4 p.m. - 6 p.m. extraordinary mediation in Boschereccia Hall
Saturday, April 18, 2026
4 p.m. - 6 p.m. extraordinary mediation in Boschereccia Hall
Sunday, April 19, 2026
4 p.m. guided tour with Emma Chiara Manzoni (fragrance expert and sensory researcher) and Silvia Battistini (director Musei Civici d’Arte Antica di Bologna)
Cost of participation: admission with museum ticket.
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| Art and perfumery meet in Bologna: olfactory path created for Boschereccia Hall |
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