The Italian fragrance house Pantheon Roma is inspired by love and I would like to present their Exclusive Collection with the Extraits de Parfum M, R and A below. These three fragrances are dedicated to the two protagonists of a great love and also to purity and harmony. These are themes that I am only too happy to deal with in the run-up to Christmas, because what could be better than love and harmony – especially when the school vacations start next week and two boys in the throes of teething puberty spend a fortnight with us at home. Let’s hope for the most conflict-free, relaxed and smooth weeks possible, full of happy and contented children’s eyes.
Pantheon Roma – Raphael and his Margherita
It is not the love of children that is the subject of Pantheon Roma, but the love of the painter and master builder Raphael – also known as Raphael Sanzio, Raphael Santi or Raphael da Urbino – and the baker’s daughter Margherita Luti. Raphael is one of the most important artists of the Italian High Renaissance and is responsible for numerous famous paintings, murals and altarpieces, including those commissioned by the Pope. Although he was engaged to the niece of a cardinal – for quite a long time, by the way, but the marriage never took place – he fell in love with the aforementioned baker’s daughter, who became his muse and lover from then on.
Some of his works bear her face. As passionate as the romance may have been, it came to an abrupt end. Raphael died at the age of just 37 for unknown reasons. Overwork, bloodletting, venereal disease – Margherita does not seem to have been the only woman in Raphael’s life – or even the plague are all possible causes of death.
Even though according to Roman legend, Margherita entered a convent after Raphael’s death, this has not actually been handed down in this form. She probably continued to live in his house after the painter’s death, while he was buried in the Roman Pantheon, a famous building from antiquity that was completed under Emperor Hadrian. Used as a Christian church since the 7th century, the Pantheon was also the final resting place of important personalities from the Renaissance onwards.
M for Margherita
Now, the love story between Margherita and Raphael may not have been quite as romantic and devoted in real life as Pantheon Roma depicts. But that doesn’t matter to us, of course, because this is a fragrance house and not a factual report.
Pantheon Roma takes us back to 16th century Italy with the Exclusive Collection. As a tribute to Margherita, M is a fragrance that pays homage to the love of two people who could not be more different. He was the famous painter, she was the baker’s daughter who was out of place and captured his heart like no other.
The extrait de parfum combines the ingredients strawberry, raspberry, plum, blackcurrant, Turkish rose, Arabian taif rose, iris, lily of the valley, jasmine, orchid, magnolia, vanilla, ambergris, patchouli, sandalwood, labdanum (cistus), musk and pink pepper.
M is a lush and opulent start to the fragrance. Magnificent fruity nuances provide a juicy sweetness, from which I sniff out red berries and ripe plums, soon accompanied by the airy, carefree and seductive notes of roses. They provide honey-like, fresh and lucid moments, nestling against the fruity nuances and blending beautifully with them. Lily of the valley, magnolia and orchid add subtle aquatic accents, accompanied by creamy jasmine and powdery iris. These gradually pave the way to the base, where the powdery creaminess of musk and patchouli is picked up. Warm woods and spicy-sweet notes are added, providing a fine, harmonious finish.
M is gorgeous and expressive, a feminine mix of fruity, floral and creamy-powdery notes that I think can be worn on any occasion and in any season. I would describe its presence as medium to strong, but I still find the creation quite transparent. The fragrance notes are so skilfully combined that M never feels heavy or oppressive, but is characterized throughout by a captivating lightness and cheerfulness. At the same time, I find the composition to be mature, elegant and modern. M is perfect for anyone who likes strong, fruity floral fragrances with character and charisma that are a little opulent. A great start to this Exclusive Collection, which leaves me full of anticipation for the Extraits de Parfum R and A.
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