Dixon Gallery and Gardens' "Scent and Symbolism Exhibit" explored the world of fragrance in art and nature, displaying antique perfume bottles (140 from 17th -20th centuries) and fragrant flowering plants in the garden.
Jenna Fergus, our G & G guide for our summer tours, emphasized the way painters through the ages explored the sense of smell in paintings, engravings, lithographs and even porcelain pieces. Prior to the tour, she sent us a link to Bible verses about fragrances, aromas and spices in the Bible. What a great way to "SPICE" up our tour. Jenna always gives us a way of looking at art from a "new" direction.
The engraving, "Smell: The Five Senses" (series#11,1736) caught my attention. It had a "story" that spoke to me. My story was a little different from the one with the display, but I was grateful for the info included by the museum.
A rustic gardener, smelling a dianthus. (One of the flowers Mother had throughout her garden) Certainly the man is an employee of the owner of the formal gardens which he tends, but that doesn't stop him from enjoying "his" moment as he "sniffs" the dianthus.
Following the tour, Jenna reminded us that our actions can be a sweet aroma to the Lord and others but we can also "stink" it up. What an eye-opening exhibit to keep us focused on God's word about fragrances.
But thanks be to God, who always leads up in triumph in Christ and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. (2 Corinthians 2:14)
May I continue to choose to be a fragrance of Christ to others.
