What is the history of Venice masks?

What is the history of Venice masks?

The tradition of the mask started in the 13th century when Venetians would hold celebrations and parties from December 26th until the start of Lent and wear elaborate masks to conceal their identity. These parties were the only time when the lower and upper classes mingled together.

What are the masks in Venice called?

The volto (Italian for face) or larva (meaning ghost in Latin) is the iconic modern Venetian mask: it is often made of stark white porcelain or thick plastic, though also frequently gilded and decorated, and is commonly worn with a tricorn and cloak.

Why did they wear masks in Venice?

During the Venice Carnivals in the past the streets of Venice were full of the people wearing masks which allowed them to protect their identity and remove any social differences. Besides, masks allowed a wearer hide his identity during licentious and dissolute activities.

What are the two main types of mask worn at the Carnival of Venice?

The main types of Venetian masks are the bauta, moretta, gnaga, medico della pesta, pantalone, arlechino, colombina (see further). Today, costumes worn at the Carnival vary to a certain degree from the original characters and often combine various elements of different origin.

What does the long nose mask represent?

The plague ravaged Venice many times, and this beaked mask was used as a sanitary precaution by actual doctors. The long nose would hold herbs and flowers that would filter the air and cover up the horrible smells of plague victims.

Where did masks originate from?

In China, masks are thought to have originated in ancient religious ceremonies. Images of people wearing masks have been found in rock paintings along the Yangtze. Later mask forms brings together myths and symbols from shamanism and Buddhism.

Where did Venetian masks originated from?

Venetian masks are a centuries-old tradition of Venice, Italy. The masks are typically worn during the Carnival (Carnival of Venice), but have been used on many other occasions in the past, usually as a device for hiding the wearer’s identity and social status.

Why did plague doctors wear beaked masks?

The typical mask had glass openings for the eyes and a curved beak shaped like a bird’s beak with straps that held the beak in front of the doctor’s nose. The purpose of the mask was to keep away bad smells, known as miasma, which were thought to be the principal cause of the disease.

Why did plague doctors wear beak masks?

De Lorme thought the beak shape of the mask would give the air sufficient time to be suffused by the protective herbs before it hit plague doctors’ nostrils and lungs.

When were Venetian Carnival masks invented?

Historical Venetian Masks These are the styles of Venetian Carnival masks that were worn in the Republic of Venice from the Middle Ages to its fall in 1797. They are ancient in their origins. The first law regulating their wearing dates back to the 13th century but masks were in use in Venice even before then.

What are the most popular Venetian masks?

The most popular traditional Venice mask is undoubtedly the bauta. Which both men and women could wear. So most of all Venetian casinos became crowded with these masks – as Guardi’s painting proves. But many could be seen in theatres, too, because married women were required to be masked when they entered there.

What happened to the masks in Venice?

The history behind masks in Venice: when were they used? Carnival is gone, Lent has begun. So, merrymaking is over, and masks have gone back inside their drawers or on the walls. But if you think that, in the past, Venice masks vanished as fast as today, well, you’ll change your mind in a flash. Better still, in 3 points.

What is the history of mask-making in Italy?

In 1271, the first statute of the Arte dei Depentori came into force. It is the oldest statute relating to the craft of painting in Italy. From this point onwards, the production of masks in Venice grew, new mask-making workshops were established, and different mask-making techniques were developed and applied in practice.