Johann Maria Farina

Johann Maria Farina 1685–1766

Letter for one of the orders of Farina's new fragrance, 1716

Giovanni Maria Farina (born 8 December 1685, Santa Maria Maggiore; Germanized name: Johann Maria Farina, Francized: Jean Marie Farina – 25 November 1766, Cologne) was an Italian-born perfumier in Germany who created the first Eau de Cologne.

Career

Farina settled in Cologne 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 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"). 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 which is usually refreshingly light, unisex with a citrus-based head note.

The perfume was given a French name because, in the 17th and 18th century, the French language was spoken in European high society and also used by tradesmen, hence Farina's name decision. Counterfeits of the perfume only appeared at the end of the 18th century. After the French Revolution, Napoleon's troops occupied Cologne for a number of years and introduced freedom of trade. Back then, registered trademarks did not exist, so there were 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

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  Invoice for Eau de Cologne, 1763
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  Town hall tower in Cologne with statue of Johann Maria Farina, left side, second floor
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  Statue of Johann Maria Farina in the Cologne Town Hall
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  Johann Maria Farina
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  Johann Maria Farina Street in Cologne
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  Bronze of Johann Maria Farina
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  Casa Farina in Santa Maria Maggiore
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  Via G.M.Farina in Santa Maria Maggiore
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  Gravestone of Johann Maria Farina in the Melaten-Friedhof cemetery in Cologne

External links

• Homepage of the Eau de Cologne Company Farina in Cologne
• Fragrance Museum in Cologne Archived 2012-07-21 at the Wayback Machine