Venetian mask - 26 photos of beautiful modern masks of the Venetian carnival

The annual carnival in Venice attracts crowds of tourists to this city. Many people want to not only see, but also participate in this spectacle, merge with the crowd and become part of it, as if having been transferred to time many centuries ago. Renaissance costumes help to get lost and become unrecognized, and such an element as a Venetian mask.

History of the origin of the Venetian masks

Carnival is a fascinating phenomenon, it is famous all over the world and is a visiting card of the city in the same way as canals and red-black gondolas. Its indispensable attribute are bright, unlike one on another masks, behind which it is convenient for a few hours to hide their identity and pretend to be someone else, mysterious and unrecognized . Many are interested in plunging into the history of this many-sided and many-sided city on the water.

The history of Venetian masks is rooted in the era of the formation of Venice, as a major economic center of medieval Europe.

  1. The rich inhabitants of Venice have always been in sight because of the small size of the town. Therefore, the masks were designed to keep their owner's incognito in movement around the city, to hide secret and forbidden love interests.
  2. With the help of this detail, many thieves and scammers were hiding in a large number of traders in Venice.
  3. The third reason was the possibility, at least for a short moment, to change the identity, turning from a servant into a rich citizen and vice versa. Tradition to wear such an object as a Venetian mask, richly decorated with fur, ribbons, silk and feathers, precious stones and shining colors during the annual carnival was so loved by the Venetians that for many centuries it is the most recognizable spectacle in Europe.

Venetian masks - types and meanings

Real original items, unlike cheap half-masks, are real masterpieces and they are not cheap. But, acquiring such a detail in Venice and participating in it in the carnival procession, you can completely immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the holiday and as if to move about time. You can identify certain types of Venetian masks, which differ in types or images. Each of them has its own meaning and is made by masters according to strict canons, developed many centuries ago.

The only difference is the decor and decoration, small individual details, characteristic for the work of each specific type. Among them are the following:

Mask of the Venetian Lady

One of the brightest and most luxurious is the carnival mask of a Venetian lady. Already by the name it is clear that she personified the image of a noble Venetian woman. It is characterized by such distinctive features:

Venetian mask Colombina

From comedies del arte came the masks of the Venetian carnival, known under the name of Columbine or the Maid. It is characterized by such features:

Venetian Volta Mask

One of the most popular are the Venetian carnival masks of Volta or a citizen - this is a simple and common image of carnival. It has such distinctive features:

Venetian Moretta Mask

If we consider Venetian masks, the value of one of them corresponds to the translation of its name. Moretta translates as "dark-skinned", among its features can be noted the following:

Venetian mask Bauta

One of the male variants in which traditional Venetian masks are represented is Bauta or the Ghost. This is the only image in which you can eat and drink, preserving incognito and without unnecessary inconvenience. Its characteristics include the following:

Venetian Cat Mask

The only one depicting an animal on a carnival is the Venetian cat mask. Since ancient times the Venetians have been very warm to the cats who saved the granaries from mice. "Cat" has such differences:

Venetian Mask Doctor Plague

The most sinister image of carnival is a Venetian mask with a long nose. Doctor Plague. Its features include the following:

Venetian Mask of the Jester

From the comedy del arte came the beautiful Venetian masks of Columbine and the Jester. The latter were at the courts of the rulers. They were the only ones who could tell the King the whole truth and go unpunished. It is a bright, cheerful, silly image that distinguishes such characteristics:

Venetian Butterfly Mask

One of the most popular options in which female Venetian masks are represented is the Butterfly. It is a mini half-mask that covers only the eyes. It is difficult to keep incognito in it, but it gives the image mystery and charm. The part covers the eye line, is made of lace material or covered with a beautiful pattern or lace. It can be tied with ribbons, or it has a long handle on the side, for which it can be held in the hand.

Venetian mask with feathers

Variants Ladies, Colombines, Butterflies are women's Venetian masks with feathers, which occupy a special place in decoration. Historically, ostrich feathers were considered an attribute of the costumes of rich people, they decorated hats and made expensive fans out of them, so not everyone could afford such a luxury at the carnival. By the presence of feathers it was possible to determine the status of the one who hid under it.

Exhibition of Venetian Masks

In different cities of the world, annual exhibitions are held, which present modern Venetian masks. They are attended by many private collectors who can not resist the beauty, luxury and rich history of carnival attributes. At major exhibitions you can see complete collections of images , their historical prototypes and a luxurious modern embodiment. After all, every detail is a small work of art, which you want to try on yourself.