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Johann Maria Farina 1685–1766
Giovanni Maria Farina (born 8 December 1685, Santa Maria Maggiore; Germanized name: Johann Maria Farina, Francized: Jean Marie Farina – 25 November 1766,
/ref> This perfume, being a real sensation at the time, contributed to Cologne’s global fame. Being the very first perfume of its kind on the market, the word "Cologne" quickly became a household name. ''Cologne'' refers to a
File:Farina gegenueber - Verkaufsrechnung (September 1763).JPG, Invoice for Eau de Cologne, 1763
Image:Farina-Statue-am-Ratsturm-Koeln.jpg, Town hall tower in Cologne with statue of Johann Maria Farina, left side, second floor
Image:Farina-Rathaus-Koeln.jpg, Statue of Johann Maria Farina in the Cologne Town Hall
Image:JMF-1685-1766-Marmorbueste.jpg, Johann Maria Farina
Image:Johann-Maria-Farina-Str.JPG, Johann Maria Farina Street in Cologne
File:Bronze-JMF.jpg, Bronze of Johann Maria Farina
Image:1960-Casa-Farina-SMM.jpg, Casa Farina in Santa Maria Maggiore
Image:Via-Farina.jpg, Via G.M.Farina in Santa Maria Maggiore
Image:Grabstein Johann Farina.jpg, Gravestone of Johann Maria Farina in the Melaten-Friedhof cemetery in Cologne
Homepage of the Eau de Cologne Company Farina in Cologne
Fragrance Museum in Cologne
{{DEFAULTSORT:Farina, Johann Maria 1685 births 1766 deaths People from Santa_Maria Maggiore, Piedmont Perfumers Italian emigrants to Germany 18th-century German inventors 18th-century German businesspeople
Giovanni Maria Farina (born 8 December 1685, Santa Maria Maggiore; Germanized name: Johann Maria Farina, Francized: Jean Marie Farina – 25 November 1766, Cologne
Cologne ( ; german: Köln ; ksh, Kölle ) is the largest city of the German western state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and the fourth-most populous city of Germany with 1.1 million inhabitants in the city proper and 3.6 millio ...
) was an Italian
Italian(s) may refer to:
* Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries
** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom
** Italian language, a Romance language
*** Regional Ita ...
-born perfumier in Germany who created the first Eau de Cologne
Eau de Cologne (; German: ''Kölnisch Wasser'' ; meaning "Water from Cologne"), or simply cologne, is a perfume originating from Cologne, Germany. Originally mixed by Johann Maria Farina (Giovanni Maria Farina) in 1709, it has since come to be a g ...
.
Career
Farina settled inCologne
Cologne ( ; german: Köln ; ksh, Kölle ) is the largest city of the German western state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and the fourth-most populous city of Germany with 1.1 million inhabitants in the city proper and 3.6 millio ...
, Duchy of Westphalia (present-day Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
), in the year 1709 where he founded Johann Maria Farina gegenüber dem Jülichs-Platz GmbH, the world’s oldest perfume factory still in existence. His subtle fragrance Eau de Cologne
Eau de Cologne (; German: ''Kölnisch Wasser'' ; meaning "Water from Cologne"), or simply cologne, is a perfume originating from Cologne, Germany. Originally mixed by Johann Maria Farina (Giovanni Maria Farina) in 1709, it has since come to be a g ...
became rapidly famous worldwide and in the 18th century was an indispensable accessory at all royal courts. The perfume maker chose to call his perfume after his new home town so as to honour it. Indeed, at the time when Farina first moved to Cologne, there were very strict laws regarding foreign settlers. Farina was granted citizenship and, in order to show off his gratitude, he named his very first creation ''Eau de Cologne'' (lit. French: "Water of Cologne").Original Eau de Cologne/ref> This perfume, being a real sensation at the time, contributed to Cologne’s global fame. Being the very first perfume of its kind on the market, the word "Cologne" quickly became a household name. ''Cologne'' refers to a
perfume
Perfume (, ; french: parfum) is a mixture of fragrant essential oils or aroma compounds (fragrances), fixatives and solvents, usually in liquid form, used to give the human body, animals, food, objects, and living-spaces an agreeable scent. Th ...
which is usually refreshingly light, unisex with a citrus-based head note.
The explanation as to why the perfume was given a French name is rather simple: In the 17th and 18th century, the French language was spoken in European high society and also used by tradesmen, which explains Farina's name decision. Counterfeits of the perfume only appeared at the end of the 18th century. After the French Revolution
The French Revolution ( ) was a period of radical political and societal change in France that began with the Estates General of 1789 and ended with the formation of the French Consulate in coup of 18 Brumaire, November 1799. Many of its ...
, Napoleon
Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who ...
's troops occupied Cologne for a number of years and introduced freedom of trade. Back then, registered trademarks did not exist, which explains why there were so many counterfeits.
Death and legacy
Farina died on 25 November 1766 in Cologne, aged 80. Today the 8th generation of the Farina family still produces the original Eau de Cologne.Gallery
References
External links
Homepage of the Eau de Cologne Company Farina in Cologne
Fragrance Museum in Cologne
{{DEFAULTSORT:Farina, Johann Maria 1685 births 1766 deaths People from Santa_Maria Maggiore, Piedmont Perfumers Italian emigrants to Germany 18th-century German inventors 18th-century German businesspeople