Is Maison Alhambra The Artist No. 2 a dupe of Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady?

Portrait of a Lady EDP

Frédéric Malle by Dominique Ropion Original Acquired

The Artist No. 2 EDP

Maison Alhambra   Inspired Acquired
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Portrait of a Lady Eau de Parfum bottle Portrait of a Lady EDP
EDP Concentration EDP
F Gender F
2010 Year 2022
$$ Price Tier $
The Artist No. 2 Eau de Parfum bottle The Artist No. 2 EDP
Our Verdict

While both share rose, sandalwood, and warm, spicy, amber, woody accords, Portrait of a Lady is a refined, mid-priced rose-patchouli masterpiece. The Artist No. 2, a budget-friendly alternative, amplifies the spicy and woody elements for a bolder, more challenging wear. Portrait of a Lady offers a sophisticated, balanced experience, while The Artist No. 2 leans into a daring, statement-making profile. If you prefer nuanced elegance, choose Portrait of a Lady. For a powerful, unapologetic scent, The Artist No. 2 is the clear winner.

$297.49+ tax from
1.7 fl oz (50 ml) at FragranceNet
Best value $94.93/fl oz (3.4 fl oz (100 ml))
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Where they differ

Biggest gaps first. The bolder side leads.

ScentArt

Portrait of a Lady Eau de Parfum ScentArt View Liquid → Portrait of a Lady EDP
The Artist No. 2 Eau de Parfum ScentArt View Liquid → The Artist No. 2 EDP
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Which Should You Buy?

Choose Portrait of a Lady if...
  • You prefer a smoother, more refined rose fragrance.
  • You appreciate high-quality ingredients and masterful blending.
  • You want a fragrance suitable for elegant occasions.
  • You prefer a fragrance with moderate sillage.
Choose The Artist No. 2 if...
  • You want a powerful, long-lasting fragrance.
  • You enjoy bold, spicy, and woody scents.
  • You're looking for a fragrance that makes a strong statement.
  • You want a similar scent profile on a budget.
Our Verdict - Portrait of a Lady EDP
A regal, resinous rose wrapped in clove, cinnamon and smoky incense. Opulent, dramatic and long-lasting, with patchouli, benzoin and amber beneath. Made for cool weather and big occasions.
Acquired
Our Verdict - The Artist No. 2 EDP
A dark, resinous, challenging rose-oud that projects, made for cold evenings. Deep crimson rose and saffron lead, with animalic oud, sandalwood and frankincense below.
Acquired

Scent Profile

How they compare
Portrait of a Lady EDP A The Artist No. 2 EDP B
Where they part company by gap size

How They Wear

Showing: Overall Blend

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding
Portrait of a Lady EDP
The Artist No. 2 EDP

Notes

Shared Notes
Rose Rose 15% vs 32%
Sandalwood Sandalwood 6% vs 13%
Only in Portrait of a Lady
Patchouli Patchouli 12% Clove Clove 9% Incense Incense 8% Red Fruits Red Fruits 7% Musk Musk 7% Blackcurrant Blackcurrant 6% Raspberry Raspberry 6% Cinnamon Cinnamon 5% Amber Amber 5% Benzoin Benzoin 5% Ylang-Ylang Ylang-Ylang 4% Vanilla Vanilla 2% Cedar Cedar 2% Ambergris Ambergris 1%
Only in The Artist No. 2
Oud Oud 30% Saffron Saffron 19% Frankincense Frankincense 5%
Only in Portrait of a Lady
Clove Clove 9% Red Fruits Red Fruits 7% Blackcurrant Blackcurrant 6% Raspberry Raspberry 6% Cinnamon Cinnamon 5%
Only in The Artist No. 2
Rose Rose 32% Saffron Saffron 19%
Only in Portrait of a Lady
Rose Rose 15% Patchouli Patchouli 12% Incense Incense 8% Sandalwood Sandalwood 6% Ylang-Ylang Ylang-Ylang 4%
Only in The Artist No. 2
Oud Oud 30%
Only in Portrait of a Lady
Musk Musk 7% Amber Amber 5% Benzoin Benzoin 5% Vanilla Vanilla 2% Cedar Cedar 2% Ambergris Ambergris 1%
Only in The Artist No. 2
Sandalwood Sandalwood 14% Frankincense Frankincense 5%

Note weights are our estimate from each note's place in the pyramid, not the share of the formula. Brands do not publish formulations.

Performance

Portrait of a Lady The Artist No. 2
Long (6-10h)
Longevity
Short (2-4h)
Strong
Projection
Strong
Strong
Intensity
Strong

Season and Occasion Fit

Portrait of a Lady

Seasons

Best For:
Spring Autumn Winter

Clove, incense, amber and rose are rich and warm, so autumn and winter suit it best. A light application can work in spring.

Occasions

Best For:
Date Formal

Commanding and sensual, it is best for formal events and romantic evenings. It is too bold for an office or sport.

The Artist No. 2

Seasons

Best For:
Autumn Winter
Also Works:
Spring

Oud, frankincense and sandalwood are heavy and warm, so winter and autumn are its seasons. In summer heat it would be overwhelming.

Occasions

Also Works:
Formal

Strong, dark and dramatic, it is best for formal evenings and dates. It is too intense for the office, casual days or the gym.

Similarity Breakdown

Our estimate of how alike these two fragrances smell, calculated from their published notes. It is a position on our scale, not a measured percentage of shared smell.

Overall scent match
4%
Key Similarities

Shares 2 of its 5 notes, including Sandalwood, Rose

Key Differences

Adds frankincense and oud, drops amber and ambergris

Where to buy

Portrait of a Lady EDP
The Artist No. 2 EDP
Wide selection Amazon US Prime delivery often available Check price on → Lowest Upfront $297.49 FragranceNet - 1.7 fl oz (50 ml) Buy Best Value $321.00 MicroPerfumes - 3.4 fl oz (100 ml) - $94.93/fl oz Buy
Wide selection Amazon US Prime delivery often available Check price on →

Prices before sales tax, which the shop adds at checkout.

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