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Venetian masks


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VENETIAN MASKS

The Venetian masks were know most notably for the Commedia dell'arte, but they were used not only during carnival. The Venetian masks were worn even in other periods of the year and for other special events. The Serenissima Republic was always quite permissive about this, even if it created a Magistrato alle Pompe in order to prevent the excesses. This tradition was founded in 1514 to control excessive pomposity and the costumes of the prostitutes. This magistrate was organised by three Provveditori that imposed, among other rules, the black colour to gondolas. The Venetian masks were used specially in the eighteenth century but even previously, some of them can be seen in actual editions of carnival. The habit of masking in Venice came from the wish of transgression or simply in order not getting recognized. Of course the Venetian masks were used in the stage plays, above all in Carlo Goldoni's comedies that greatly contributed to make them celebrated not only in Italy but worldwide.

Harlequin

Those who made the Venetian masks at the age of the Serenissima were the "Mascareri", associated in the Arte dei Maschereri since 1436. In the city there are hundreds of shops selling Venetian masks, but only a few shops can boast of real maschereri working using the ancient style, with papier mache. Venetian masks' prices vary often among different shops, and for this we suggest you check out the prices to avoid unpleasant surprises and absolutely request for the certificate of guarantee that confirms the origin and the authenticity. Furthermore we recommend you buy only hand-crafted and quality products. Saving money to just buy a mask that was Made in China will surely give a bad impression!

Bauta

Among the most known Venetian masks there is the Bauta. It was worn both by men and by women, characterized by a white mask for the face, a black cloak (called "tabarro") and the typical Venetian hat of the eighteenth century, the black tricorno. The Venetian masks mostly used by the common people were the Bernardone or Bernardon and the Gnaga: the first one pretented being ill, the second one was a man disguised like a woman. The Mattaccino was the clown of the carnival that, repeating an old folk custom, threw eggs full of perfumes to his friends overlooking from the windows. The Moretta was one of the Venetian masks most prefered by women. It was painted in a black colour and was oval-shaped. It was secured to the face by a small button attached to the masks and retained by the mouth of Venetian women.

Doctor of the Plague

Among the most bizarre masks is the Medico della Peste (Doctor of the Plague). It's easily recognizable for its long nose like that of a stork. Originally this wasn't a mask but was actually used to protect the Doctors of the Plague that had a contact with the sick people of this awful disease. This illness killed half of the Venetian people during the two pestilences that menaced Europe in both 1576 and 1630. The Medici della Peste inserted in the beak of the masks some aromatic grasses, and they worn glasses and touched the sick people only with a wood wand. All of these tools were considered indispensable to avoid being infected. Other typical costume is Zanni having white and green stripes, known also by the name of Brighella.

Pantalone

Among the most famous Venetian masks can include that of Harlequin, which has origins in Bergamo. He is easily recognizable for his multicolored costume and for his continuous movements alternating with jumps. He was the protagonist of one of the most famous comedy by Carlo Goldoni, "Harlequin Servant of Two Masters." Pantalone is a senior, smart and stingy. Typical among the Venetian masks of the Commedia dell'Arte, the figure of Pantalone is a farcical character of the merchant of Venice that has contributed so much with his trade to the richness of his city. Often overwhelmed by the beauty of Venetian masks like Colombina and Franceschina, he was also called Pantalon de' Bisognosi. Pantalone was masterfully interpreted in the twentieth century by the great actor Cesco Baseggio. The stage director that perhaps best directed these two Venetian masks in Goldonian comedies was Giorgio Strehler.

Bottega dei Mascareri

We were kindly given permission to use all of the photos shown on this page by La Bottega dei Mascareri. This workshop makes only hand-crafted masks by papier mache. The Venetian masks are made and painted entirely by hand. Massimo, Rita and Sergio have worked since 1984 with the same passion that had the ancient Venetian maschereri. You can meet them from 9am to 7pm, all week, inside of the two workshops. The first one is located 50 metres from the Rialto Bridge (S. Polo, 80 - Phone and fax +39 041 5223857). The second one is located in Calle dei Saoneri (S. Polo, 2720 - Tel. +39 041 5242887).

How to make Venetian masks

Make Venetian masks

La Bottega dei Mascareri teaches us how to make Venetian masks. At first we have to shape the clay sculpture of the mask we want to produce, then adapt over a plaster cast (which will take the same form of the sculpture). You insert the card in the plaster cast and gets it wet. We have to dry the paper on top of a stove and then remove the mask, then cut the excess and finally color it. After this process we have prepared our Venetian masks, ready to wear or display.


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