Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Original Venetian masks the symbol of transgression and freedom

From the early 14th century, new restrictive laws started to be promulgated by the Venice Government, to stop the relentless moral decline of the Venetian people. This carnival legislation proscribed masqueraders at night, forbade men from entering convents dressed as women to commit "multas inhonestates" and forbade masqueraders from carrying arms or entering churches. To restore morality in Venice and to avoid the incentive of immoral behavior of its citizens, the Republic obliged them to wear a mask only during the days of carnival and at official banquets.
4804Venetian_mask

The original Venetian masks were rather simple in design and decoration and they often had a symbolic and practical function. Venetian masks were used to hide and protect their wearer's identity during promiscuous or decadent activities, but they became also the symbol of transgression and freedom from the severe social rules imposed by the Serenissima Republic.
Venetian masks were often used to protect gamblers from giving away indiscrete looks, especially to avoid their creditors, or by "barnaboti" noblemen who went banrupt, begging on street corners.
venetian mask and costume festival

Masks were allowed from the day after Christmas, which marked the beginning of the Venetian Carnival, to Shrove Tuesday which marked its end, but were forbidden during religious feasts. As well as during the Carnival period, Venetians wore masks during the fortnight of the Ascension, and ended up wearing it, with a few exceptions, half-way through June. During all major events, such as official banquets or other celebrations of the Serenissima Republic, was permitted  to wear a mask and a cloak.
828venetian_mask

The history of masks and the Carnival's laws The use of masks by both Venetians and foreign visitors during Carnival, created a demand for masks and consequently contributed to the evolution of the figure of the mask-makers, mascareri, registered artisans who created and sold masks in papier-mache.
Masks were produced for centuries in Venice by the mascareri and still today are made from papier-mache, in many different colors and styles and decorated with fur, fabric, gems, or ribbons.

Original Venetian masks the symbol of transgression and freedom

3 comments:

Venice Buys Masks said...

I love the post! the pictures really show some classic masks!

Unknown said...

wonderful masks !! really want to go to Venice now :( lol

richard_cameraguy said...

Trying to find artist or photo credit for picture of the mask with eyes and painted with scenes of Venice. Any ideas?