This bust was commissioned by the famous Parisian perfumer Houbigant for the company's stand at the International Exhibition in Paris in 1900.

The soft floral fragrances of Houbigant perfumes are personified in a meditative young woman, wearing a tall arched crown decorated with gems and silver lilies. 

Although the form of this bust was inspired by Renaissance sculpture, Mucha chose to use modern silver and parcel gilding techniques to create striking effects.

At the exhibition, the bust was installed high above a wreath of irises, roses and violets, in the middle of the presentation cases.