Venetian Masks originated from the Carnival of Venice around the 11th Century developing into the Commedia dell'arte - a popular form of improvisational theater which began in Italy in the 15th century and maintained its popularity through to the 18th century. Characters were identified by costume & masks and many of the modern mask designs reflect these characters such as Harlequin, Columbina, Dottore, Pantalone and Scaramouche to name a few.
After the 1100s, the masquerade went through periods of being outlawed by the Catholic Church, especially during holy days. Their policy lead to eventual acceptance when they declared the months between Christmas and Shrove Tuesday free for Venetian mask-attired decadence. This period evolved into Carnevale, the pre-Lent celebration meaning, "remove meat."
By 1436 the wearing of masks and costumes was well established, when maskmakers or mascareri were officially recognized with their own guild. The practice of wearing masks for disguise reached its peak in the 18th Century, when Venetians of different social classes used the Carnival as an excuse to free themselves from judging neighbours, seeking anonymity for promiscuity, gambling, and other illicit behaviours.
Masks virtually disappeared--along with the Carnival when Napoleon's troops occupied the Venetian Republic in 1797. However, the masks staged a spectacular comeback since a group of former Academy of Fine Arts students opened Venice's first modern mask shop in 1978 and now every street in Venice has its own parade of Venetian Mask shops.
The modern celebration of Carnevale has reinvigorated the art and craft of making Venetian masks. The traditional method involves sculpting a form out of clay as a base for the mask.
MAMost masks are made from papier-mch, a plaster paste made from paper strips and glue. This plaster material is layered over the base - once dried it is removed to form the basic mask. The artisan paints designs onto the mask in bright colors and embellish the designs further with gold-leaf, sequins, silk ribbons, bird feathers, faux fur, rhinestones, leather, gold charms, glitter, and exotic trinkets.
After the 1100s, the masquerade went through periods of being outlawed by the Catholic Church, especially during holy days. Their policy lead to eventual acceptance when they declared the months between Christmas and Shrove Tuesday free for Venetian mask-attired decadence. This period evolved into Carnevale, the pre-Lent celebration meaning, "remove meat."
By 1436 the wearing of masks and costumes was well established, when maskmakers or mascareri were officially recognized with their own guild. The practice of wearing masks for disguise reached its peak in the 18th Century, when Venetians of different social classes used the Carnival as an excuse to free themselves from judging neighbours, seeking anonymity for promiscuity, gambling, and other illicit behaviours.
Masks virtually disappeared--along with the Carnival when Napoleon's troops occupied the Venetian Republic in 1797. However, the masks staged a spectacular comeback since a group of former Academy of Fine Arts students opened Venice's first modern mask shop in 1978 and now every street in Venice has its own parade of Venetian Mask shops.
The modern celebration of Carnevale has reinvigorated the art and craft of making Venetian masks. The traditional method involves sculpting a form out of clay as a base for the mask.
MAMost masks are made from papier-mch, a plaster paste made from paper strips and glue. This plaster material is layered over the base - once dried it is removed to form the basic mask. The artisan paints designs onto the mask in bright colors and embellish the designs further with gold-leaf, sequins, silk ribbons, bird feathers, faux fur, rhinestones, leather, gold charms, glitter, and exotic trinkets.
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