Venetian Mask and İts Story

Venetian masks are a centuries-old Venetian tradition. Today, masks worn during the Venice Carnival, but generally used as a means of hiding the identity and social status of the user in the past, were used to interact with other members of the society outside the boundaries of daily social life and to act freely. Decorated with paper, fur, fabric, jewelry or feathers for centuries in Venice, these distinctive masks featured a rather flamboyant design using bright colors such as gold or silver and intricate baroque-style decorations.

The Story of the Venetian Mask

   Unlike most of their counterparts in contemporary European countries, Venetians enjoyed high living standards. Everyone was part of the great economic Republic. Venice was capitalizing on its own gains with its capital long before its contemporaries realized the value of the market economy. Since then, Venetians have developed a unique culture with an uneven level of social well-being, where the concealment of identity in everyday life is the most important point for daily activities.

   Part of the privacy was pragmatic: There was work to be done, people would see it, and maybe they wouldn’t want others to know the opportunities they were dealing with. After all, Venice was a small city.

   In addition, the masks served an important social purpose in keeping every citizen on an equal playing field. A masked servant could be mistaken for a nobleman, or state controllers and spies could question criminals without fear of revealing their true identity, and citizens could respond without fear of punishment. The morale of the people was maintained through the use of masks, everyone without a face had a voice.

   However, as a result of anonymity, people naturally found themselves taking advantage of the situation. Society has collapsed more and more. The enormous amount of travelers coming and going to the city meant that sexual non-compliance was common and acceptable. Gambling continued around the clock in the streets and homes, and even in monasteries. While women’s clothes were getting more and more open, homosexuality, which was previously condemned, started to be embraced by the public.

   Recently, even monks and nuns were wearing masks in monasteries and doing the same actions with other citizens. As a result of the unrest and moral deterioration that developed over time, the wearing of masks in daily life was prohibited and was restricted to certain months of the year. In the last year of the Republic’s existence, this period spanned more than three months from December 26th. After the 1100s, the masquerade was declared illegal by the Catholic Church, especially on holy days. Although the Venetian Carnival lost its popularity as its cultural production declined during the Venetian enlightenment, it began to be reintroduced in 1979.

Venice Carnival and Venetian Masks

   The modern day celebrations of the Venice Carnival have revived the art of Venetian masks. Enchanting tourists during the carnival and throughout the year, Venetian masks continue to dazzle on dancers and contest participants. Although Venetian masks date back to Halloween masquerades and the Mask Festival, which North and South Americans call Mardi Gras, they always continue to be a rich Venetian tradition and reflect the rich Italian history. The Venice Carnival will be held in 2019 between 16 February and 5 March.

Types of Venetian Masks

   Venetian masks are basically divided into Commedia Dell’arte and Carnival Masks.

   1. Commedia Dell’arte

   Commedia dell’Arte, which dates back to the second half of the 16th century and means Italian Comedy Art, represents the characters, ethnic traditions, professions and trade that are closely linked to different ethnic cities symbolized by professional theater actors. Under Commedia dell’Arte, there are mask types Arlecchino, Brighella, Burratino, Captain Scaramouche, Colombina, Ill Dottore, Pantalone, Pierrot, Pulcinella and Zanni, which depict many characters separated according to their social status.

   2. Carnival Masks

   Bauta, one of the most iconic objects representing Venice, the Venetian Masks, is the main type of mask worn during the Venice Carnival. Bauta, a tool for hiding the identity and social status of the user in many cases, was often used for socially unacceptable affairs, as well as criminals.

   Dama, which has many elegant designs, corresponds to the masks used by the Cinquecento, that is, women of the Titian period, which include jewelry and expensive clothes.

   Checkers (Liberty, Olga, Valeri, Salome, Fantasia, Regina) are still the most popular and beautiful type of mask used during today’s Venice Carnival.

   Gatto, which means cat in Italian, is a traditional Venetian Carnival mask. Cats were so rare in Venice that they became the subject of one of the most typical masks.

   Jester or Jolly is a specific type of clown mostly associated with the Middle Ages. Starting from Italy, Jester has moved all over Europe, especially Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, England and especially France. Jester (Joker, Fool, Buffoon / Boufon, Narr / Naaror, Jugs), the ancestor of the icon we still know as the “Jester”, was the symbolic twin of the king. But fools at that time were considered special cases in which God came into contact with infantile madness – a special gift or perhaps a curse. Mentally retarded people sometimes found jobs by making capers and acting in a playful way. In the harsh world of medieval Europe, people who could not survive otherwise got involved in social life thanks to this mask.

   Wearing a colorful and typical outfit, the Jesters’ hats were particularly different. The bells were swinging from the tips of the cloth cones. Other things that were distinctive about the buffoon were his annoying laughter and fake wand that made him perceive like a demon.

   Moretta, another traditional Venetian mask, was a favorite of Venetian women. Spread from France, the mask quickly became popular in Venice as it brought out the beauty of feminine features. The Dottore Peste (Plague Doctor, Medico della Peste) is a modern Venetian Carnival mask, as well as Volto, which means face in Italian and is also known as the Citizen mask because it has been worn by the public on all holidays since ancient times.

   Dottore Peste, which has a very interesting story, is the product of the plague epidemic that hit the city. For this reason, it was not a real mask, but a cover used by local plague doctors who went to visit those exposed to plague epidemics. The Dottore Peste suit was a mask with crystal eyes that covered the entire face so that the doctor could protect himself. It also included a beak filled with spices or herbs to clean the air the doctor was breathing. He was used with a wooden stick to push victims very close to him, a pair of leather gloves to protect the hands, an outer apron, and full-size boots.

Author: Mr. Article

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