Venetian masks were originally used for anonymity during promiscuous activities in medieval Italy. They later became the emblem of Carnevale, a celebration of hedonism. The traditional method of making masks involves papier-mâché and decorating with fur, fabric, gems, or ribbons. Popular types include the Bauta, Columbino, Harlequin, and puckered lips.
Venetian masks have a long history of protecting their wearer’s identity during promiscuous or decadent activities. Crafted over centuries in Venice, these distinctive masks were fashioned from papier-mâché and wildly decorated with fur, fabric, gems, or ribbons. Eventually, Venetian masks emerged as the emblem of Carnevale, a contest and street fair celebrating hedonism. The use of Venetian masks has also spread to costume balls, Halloween, Mardi Gras, and other events.
hedonistic origin
These masks arose during a climate of cultural and religious repression during the medieval era in Italy. People donned the colorful masks to free themselves from judging their neighbors, most of whom knew each other well in such a small town. Both the noble class and the peasants sought anonymity for promiscuity, gambling, and other indiscretions. It was alleged that even members of the clergy had dressed up to go dancing.
carnaval
After the 1100s, the masquerade went through periods of prohibition by the Catholic church, especially during holy days. Church politics led to eventual acceptance when it declared the months between Christmas and Shrove Tuesday free for mask-wearing Venetian decadence. This period became Carnevale, the meaning of the pre-Lenten celebration, “to remove meat.” Although Carnevale fell out of popularity as Venice’s cultural output faltered during the Enlightenment, it was officially reintroduced in 1979.
make and decorate
The modern celebration of Carnevale has reinvigorated the art and craft of making Venetian masks. The traditional method is to sculpt a shape out of clay as the base for the mask. Most masks are made of papier-mâché, an adhesive paste made from strips of paper and glue. This plaster material is layered over the base, then allowed to dry before being removed to form the basic mask.
The artisan then paints designs in gold, silver, and bright colors like royal purple or sunny yellow. Common decorations include sequins, silk ribbons, exotic bird feathers, and faux fur. Rhinestones, gold charms, glitter, and extravagant trinkets are also often added to Venetian masks.
common types
The recognizable types of Venetian masks have continued to dazzle observers during Carnevale and other times of the year. The Bauta mask covers the entire face, with a stubborn chin line, no mouth, and heavily gilded. A half-mask with gold and silver stripes and jeweled eyes is called a Columbino, and is attached to the face with an attached stick. Other popular shapes include large, hooked noses, black-and-white checkered diamonds called a Harlequin pattern, and bright red puckered lips.
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