History of Venetian Masks
Updated: June 2023
As the name suggests, Venetian masquerade masks originated from the Venetian Republic, in what is now Italy. They were worn to the Carnevale celebration that still takes place in many places around the world and is the precursor to the Mardi Gras celebration in the United States. The practice of wearing masks in this region has a rich history, starting sometime in the 10th century and ending almost 800 years later.
The Venetians considered themselves a breed apart from the people in the surrounding areas. They were fashion setters, although not every fashion was followed by others. Many wealthy people lived in the Venetian Republic. The Venetian area was rich due to its ship makers and natural beauty. The area was on the major trade route between Asia and Europe, so taxes were freely levied on those who passed through. Venetian masks were worn by all different types of people, but were more favored by the upper classes during past centuries, who wore the masks with their capes and other disguises to mingle amongst each other in anonymity.
Aside from hiding the identity of the wearers, men and women were able to experiment sexually without fear of being recognized. Anyone who admired someone could express their love or affection without having to show their face. People tend to say more and become more honest when they wear masks. They can do what they want more freely and inhibitions are released. This way their identity and social status are kept hidden. This is also true for today’s masquerade parties where Venetian masquerade masks are worn.
Another factor that set the Venetians apart from other Europeans was that even the lower classes were better off than their neighbors. Everyone’s wealth was increased. The mask allowed people to act in ways that they would not be observed, either while doing business or engaging in unsavory activities. The masks served an important social purpose, allowing people to operate on an equal playing field. Servants could pretend to be noblemen and noblemen could pretend to be servants. People enjoyed having a voice but no face!
A third reason why the mask was commonly used is the fact that shipbuilding was a major business activity in the region of Venice at that time. This was a very fast turnaround, made possible by the fact that the shipyards employed 15,000 of the local residents, a staggering 10% of the state’s overall population. The majority of these people who were involved in this shipbuilding process were from other parts of the world and considered as slaves.
There was a rising level of awareness to stop the act of trading others as slaves. The shipbuilding process was achieved with such tremendous speed that it was possible for them to build a battle ship in less than 30 days. There was a great level of labor that was put into the manufacturing of these ships and it took a very long time for them to get done. So face masks were used to prevent people from being treated in an ugly manner and to prevent others from making fun of them. There was a great advantage associated with wearing these masks and many people wanted this advantage. The supervisor could also avail an honest reply from the workers while people’s identity from foreign origins could be protected.
In addition to the shipyards, the Venetian Republic required workforces in all other aspects of daily life. The Republic was a well-oiled machine that functioned smoothly and well, which meant that the citizens of the Venetian Republic were wealthy and successful. This wealth, luxury, and extravagance, coupled with the beauty of the state, made the Republic very appealing to the rest of the world.
It was the wealth of the Venetian Republic that brought about the tradition of the Venetian mask. Over time, the citizens of the Venetian Republic began to realize that if they concealed their identity, they could carry out their daily lives in secrecy and without fear of retribution. With so much personal wealth in the state, people often found themselves making deals and agreements with other citizens outside of the eyes of the law. With the population as small as it was, many wanted to carry out such deals without other people knowing their business, and so the wearing of a mask became popular.
Once people began to see others wearing masks, it became apparent that they could hold additional benefits. When wearing a mask, your identity is concealed and so your social status is not known to others. This allowed servants and business owners to be treated equally and prevented any form of inequality or prejudice. It also allowed all of the citizens of the Republic to have their say on matters that were important to them, allowing them to remain anonymous in the process. This was mutually beneficial to both the citizens and officials visiting the city, who were able to receive honest answers to their questions from the whole spectrum of residents. Soon, all of the city’s residents were wearing masks to go about their daily lives.
However, this mutual benefit for all of wearing masks was not to last long. It did not take long for people to start taking advantage of the concealment of their identity and benefiting from their anonymity, resulting in a decadent society. Knowing that there were no repercussions for their actions, as no one could be identified, society began to behave more lavishly and without fear. As a busy city with travelers and business visitors descending upon them daily, sexual promiscuity became commonplace and gambling was known to be occurring all through the day and night all over the city.
In fact, gambling was even occurring in convents and was undertaken by men, women, and even children. Homosexuality was starting to spread throughout the Republic and was not condemned there as it was in the rest of the country. Women were able to flaunt their sexuality in revealing clothing and engaged in promiscuous behavior. Even those who had taken religious vows, such as monks and nuns, were undertaking the same activities as the rest of the population, wearing fashionable outfits, gambling, and prostituting themselves. People in high moral roles in churches and other institutions could live double lives.
In an area that was ruled by the Catholic Church, the mask ensured that there would be no retribution for unsavory or forbidden behavior. Masquerading with these items was even made compulsory at one stage. However, the behavior of people degraded to such an extent that a decision was finally reached by the Catholic Church to ban the wearing of masks throughout the majority of the year, only permitting it in a three-month period from December 26th onwards. Over time this has been gradually lessened and is now more commonly associated with week-long festivities known as Carnevale or Mardi Gras. The capital of Italy, Rome, knew about the activities that were occurring in the Venetian Republic but for some time chose to ignore them as long as the Republic was continuing to make regular and substantial financial deposits.
TYPES OF VENETIAN MASKS
The modern Venetian masks, just like the masks worn back in the 13th century, are characterized by their complex designs. They feature bright colors accented with gold or silver. Most of the designs of the Venetians are adopted from Commedia dell’arte and some in several traditional shapes that date back to the origins of Carnevale. These masks come in different shapes and can be full-face masks such as Bauta or eye masks such as Columbina and the classical long nose style of masks.
Venetian masquerade masks can be made from several materials such as plaster, leather, and paper mache. They are usually hand-painted and have fabric trims, jewels, and other materials to enhance them. There are many different types of masquerade masks out there, but the major types are discussed below:
The Bauta Mask
A Bauta mask is worn by both men and women. A married woman was obliged to wear this mask when going to the theater, but marriage-aged women were not allowed to wear the Bauta mask.
These Venetian costume masks were constructed from a black veil, but could also be white, dark blue, or scarlet in color. It was called a small cloak because it covered the neck and shoulders. The mask had a black three-cornered hat and a white face with an enlarged jutting upper lip under a protruding nose that could actually change the tone of the wearer’s voice. The Bauta mask was a favorite of many because they could eat and drink without removing it, which maintained their anonymity.
The Moreta Mask
The Moreta is an oval mask made of black velvet and used mainly by women. The mask originated in France to be used by women visiting nuns. The mask became popular in Venice because the black color enhanced female facial features and made the skin more attractive. The mask had veils and small hats with large brims. Men named it the ‘dumb’ costume mask because it was kept in place by biting on a small support attached to the mask which prohibited the wearer from talking.
The Gnaga Mask
The Gnaga is a plain and non-descriptive mask that was used by males to dress up as women. Often, men would imitate female voice tones and behaviors, which allowed them to hide their homosexuality by wearing this mask that covered just the eyes and nose.
The Pantalone Mask
The Pantalone is the best-known Venetian costume mask and was commonly worn by Venetians at celebrations. Pantalone is an old man who could be a rich merchant or a poor ruined businessman, however, either was portrayed by a man with great knowledge of business. The costume is made from a woolen Grecian beret, red jacket, tight-fitting white trousers with a sword tied to the belt. A black, red-lined cloak drapes the shoulders, complemented by black Turkish slippers. Typically, the mask has a hooked nose, marked eyebrows, and a pointed short beard, caressed and stroked by the wearer.
The Columbina (or Columbino) Mask
The Columbina mask is a half-face style. It hides only the upper face. The lips and chin are not covered. Some historians believe that it was popularized by an actress who wanted half of her beautiful face revealed. The Columbina mask is decorated with sequins, flowers, and other colorful embellishments. It is the most popular mask today.
The “Plague Doctor” Mask
The “Plague Doctor” mask is a full-face style with a protruding nose. Legend suggests that a French physician designed it as a precaution when treating plague victims. Wearers of the “plague doctor” style usually wear black and white formal attire, often with a cape.
The Volta Mask
The Volta mask is white and is worn with a cape. It is similar in shape to the Bauta mask but much lighter due to the method of construction. The wearer could easily eat and drink without removing it.
Aside from the examples of Venetian masquerade masks that were mentioned, other kinds of these masks are Larva, jolly mask (like a joker with bells), Medico Della Peste, and others. The classical long nose style of masks is still a popular kind of Venetian masquerade masks that are worn at many events.
These kinds of masks have been used and are famous in Hollywood. They were used in the film Eyes Wide Shut where Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman are the lead actor and actress. Venetian masquerade masks are still being worn by many people who attend masquerade balls to bring elegance and beauty to those who wear them.
These Venetian masks will be a wonderful possession that will provide you with wonderful looks and at the same time you can feel proud of wearing them anywhere you go.
