Venetian Masks

The mask has been one of Venice's central traditions, and certainly its most famous, since the 13th century. Artisan mask makers, mascherieri, hand paint their papier-mâché works in the original baroque style while street vendors offer a wide selection to meet everyone’s individual tastes. During the time of the Republic, masks not only expressed creativity but also granted temporary social and political anonymity. The typical masks each had different meanings and backgrounds, ranging from the Black Plague to theatre.

The Bauta: This full coverage masks in the grotesque style was originally plain white with a projecting square jaw line that allowed the wearer to eat, talk, and drink. It was often worn with a cape and tricorn. By the 18^th century it had become part of the Venetian government, required at certain political decision-making events. It offered anonymity and equality during secret ballots.

Il Ridotto in Venezia by Pietro Longhi
click to enlarge

The Moretta (or Servetta Muta): Inspired by the French visard mask, which was used to protect lady’s faces from tanning and burning, this black velvet oval mask was featureless except for the eyeholes and was held in place by a button or pin held in the wearer’s mouth. Worn by patrician women, the mask intentionally rendered them mute and anonymous, hence the name “the mute servant.”

The Dama (Lady): After the Moretta fell into disuse later in the 18th century, the Dama mask became popular for elegant ladies, featuring extravagant ornamentation and attached headpieces.

http://impressivemagazine.com/2013/06/16/7-types-of-venetian-masks/

The Medico della Peste (Plague Doctor): During the time of the Bubonic Plague, some doctors wore a mask with built in eyeglasses and a beak over the nose. Some filled the hollow beak with herbs to cover the stench of the disease. They often paired the mask with a long black cloak, hat, and white gloves. Doctors hoped these sanitation precautions would keep them safe from sickness.  It is also said that the eerie appearance of the costume was to disguise the doctor from the demons of the plague and thereby protect them.

http://www.arsminerva.org/#!Il-Medico-della-Peste/zoom/ctzx/image1jsj

The Volto (Face): Also known as the Citizen Mask because it was worn by many of the common people, this white, expressionless mask covers the entire face and has basic facial features (although it does not have the protruding or hinged jaws of the Bauta or Commedia masks to allow eating). It can be either plain or elaborately embellished and painted. Today it is one of the most widely recognized Venetian masks and is part of many of the elaborate costumes in the Carnival parades and pageants.

Masks of the Commedia dell’Arte: these are the masks worn by the archetypal characters of the Commedia dell’Arte, a type of improvisational theatre based on a set of stock characters. Each character had certain exaggerated qualities meant to represent or caricature a particular Italian district or town. The use of masks in the costumes was inspired by the mask tradition of Venice. Eventually people wore the masks and costumes of the characters during the Carnival. They are overly expressive masks that convey the defining emotion or trait of the character.

http://www.themaskery.com/commedia_dell.html

click to enlarge

Arlecchino: The Harlequin provides slapstick humor with his agility contrasting his slow brain. His mask with raised eyebrows displays his surprised credulity. He can be the "noble savage" as well as the "wise fool."

Columbina: Counterpart to Arlecchino, she is the amorous lady's maid, characterized by intelligence, independence, and femininity. A Columbine mask is the popular half-mask covering only the eyes and cheekbones and highly embellished with feathers, beads, metals, or crystal. These have either ribbons to tie around the back of the head or a baton attached to the side with which to hold the mask to the face. It is said Columbina's mask is small because she did not want to cover her beautiful face.

Brighella: Arlecchino's enemy, Brighella is also a servant, but unlike Arlecchino, he is extremely cunning and dangerous. He is selfish and opportunistic with no sense of honor. His half-mask is typically olive-colored and displays a look of lust or greed.

Pantalone: Representing the old miserly merchant of Venice, Pantalone is greedy and gullible. His name comes from his characteristic red pantaloons. His mask is wrinkled to emphasize his age and has narrowed, greedy eyes.

Pulcinella: The pot-bellied and gleefully malicious servant evolved into the Mr. Punch of the notorious Punch and Judy shows. His mask features a long hooked nose, perhaps referring to his name meaning "little chick."

Il Dottore: The proud but incompetent doctor boasts of his prowess while prescribing ridiculous treatments. He satirizes the Bolognese scholars in black academic robes. His mask covers only the nose and forehead, revealing reddened cheeks from drinking.

Il Capitano: The Captain is an arrogant coward hiding behind his bravado. He makes up tales about his conquests and his title of Captain is almost certainly self-appointed. He is a caricature of the Spanish soldiers because during the late Renaissance, many parts of Italy were under Spanish domination. His mask displays a haughty expression, a long upturned nose, and occasionally a mustache.

Tartaglia: This character's defining trait is his stutter. He is also farsighted and dainty, inspiring the character of Porky Pig. His mask often features glasses or squinting eyes and a generally confused expression.

Pedrolino: Later evolving into the innocent romantic Pierro, Pedrolino is likable, simple, and often the victim. His oversized hand-me-down costume shows his low social status and he wears either no mask or just white powder to express his sensitivity.

Gli Innamorati: The Lovers wear no mask to contrast with the rest of the actors, but they do wear heavy make up and beauty marks. They are immature and childlike and are more in love with being in love than they are with each other.

illustrations from http://www.atelierdesarts.com/maschere/maschere.htm