The Venetian Masking Tradition
Venice is known for its canals, masquerade and carnival masks. The Venice Carnival wouldn't be what's without masquerade masks; they are a vital part of the festivities. The carnivals origins are said to return to the twelfth centaury, but masking was not discussed in partnership with the revelry till the thirteenth centaury. The carnival reached its height in the eighteenth centaury, were it had become a holiday maker attraction, bringing holiday makers to the town of canals from all over Europe. In 1797 the Venetian Republic fell to Napoleon Bonaparte, at which time the convention of the carnival ceased. It was revived again in the nineteen seventies and its revival has once more opened the doors of Venice to the travellers of the Earth.
Masks were not only worn during carnival, which often lasted a month, but also for ceremonies; including betrothals and unions, the meeting of foreign dignitaries as well as for public holidays. In the eighteenth centaury the wearing of a mask had become part of normal Venetian Society. Its voters were wearing masks for at least half a year of the year, although highly regulated, with laws ordaining when a mask could and couldn't be worn. Masks were not permitted to be worn during certain non secular banquet days, during Lent or for the ten days leading in to and including Yuletide.
Masking happened around the theatre seasons which started in October and finished just before Lent for the autumn-winter season. The high season ran for only seventeen days in the festival of Ascension, which customarily took place in May. The theatre has a long and rich history of masking in with the Italian Comedy – The Commedia Dell ‘ Arte. Where the likes of Harlequin, Brighelle, and Arlecchino were seen stomping the stage, together with the clumsy Zanni.
The citizens of Venice were great fans of the theatre and opera and they attended both in mask. The most typical form of masking dress was a Tabro with a bauta mask. The tabro is a hooded black cape that drapes round the face. Over this was placed the Bauta mask, which has a robust male look to it and covers the face in such away to hide all facial features, but also permits one to each and drink with it on. This was often crowned with a black hat. This type of dress was employed by both men and some girls. The women used this style as it disguised one in such a way that you where fully incognito, when wearing pants.
Masks where not only worn for pleasure looking for, but where utilized in economic transactions and at formal occasions, were it was thought to be dignified and safeguarded ones honour. Masks where accepted as a standard part of Venetian dress during the season and were affordable to all. Masking was so prevalent in the eighteenth centaury that Venice could have been observed as the town of masks.
2012 Melanie Robson. mymasquerademasks.com You can use this work unreservedly on condition that you include this copyright line and keep all URL’s untouched and that folks who afterwards use this document follow the same conditions. Thanks for accepting these conditions.
Melanie Robson is a freelance writer, analyst and director of Writers Cramp Productions, masquerade masks and masquerade ball masks are some of the many subjects Melanie has researched and written about.
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