Extended Diploma in art and design 2014 : Venetian Carnival

The carnival in Venice is one of the oldest in the world. It's origins trace back to the 15th century. In the past it started on December 26th and reached its peak on Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras. During that time of year the city turned into a huge stage. Social differences disappeared behind costumes and masks. People sang and played instruments, danced and played games. There were balls and festivities and everything was permitted. Today it is famous world wide and carnival celebrations are still held with people wearing spectacular and historical costumes and masks but for a shorter period of time during the ten days before lent.

Masks have always been a main feature in Venetian Carnival. The Venetian masks were made of leather, porcelain or glass and all had a symbolic or practical function. Today they are often made of gesso or paper mache and they are decorated with feathers and gems. The main types of Venetian masks are the bauta, moretta, gnaga, medico della pesta, pantalone, arlecchino, columbina and many more.

Commedia Dell'arte (Comedy of professional artists or Comedy of Humours) was a form of improvisational theatre which began in the 16th century and continued to be widely popular up until the 18th Century. The actors were Italian street performers who wore masks with exaggerated comic features to draw attention to themselves and their acrobatic skills.
Characters such as Arlecchino, Columbina, Pantalone, The Doctor, The Captain and Pulcinella emerged from Commedia Dell'Arte. Many of the costumes worn during the Venice Carnival today are typical of the ones used in centuries past.

This is a modern costume of the Harlequin worn at the Venice Carnival . It is very brightly coloured and has accessories attached to it to make it more spectacular. The historical Arlecchino wore a multicoloured costume comprised of diamond shaped patterns, a catlike mask which has a low forehead, round eyes and a small nose. The modern Harlequin has painted his face instead of wearing a mask. Face painting and body painting is another artistic expression to create new designs.

Here are different types, colours and elaborate designs of the bauta mask which is very popular and seen every year at the carnival balls, streets and shops of Venice. Bauta is considered the traditional Venetian mask. This is not just a mask but a whole outfit. In the past it consisted of a shining white shaped mask called larva or Volto. It covered half of the face and had no mouth and therefore the wearer could eat and talk freely. It was worn with a black cape or veil of silk, a cloak (tambarro) or mantle and a three-cornered (''tricorne'') hat. The Bauta was and is still worn by both Venetian ladies and gentleman alike.

Historical Bauta

The Plague mask had a long beak. It was worn by doctors while treating plague victims.The mask is white with a hollow beak and round eyes.It was worn with a black hat and a black cloak as well as white gloves and a stick. Like the costumes, the plague mask that is worn nowadays is elaborate and decorated with patterns and painted with colours or silver and gold.

Black masks are also popular. They are nowadays more stylish, original and creative than the Moretta or Servetta Muta which was a black velvet oval shaped mask that was worn by Venetian ladies. Covering all but the outer edge of the face, the moretta was secured to the wearer by the way of a small bit that was held in place by the teeth. It was worn with a veil.

Moretta

Modern mask

The Columbina is a half mask. It is often decorated in colour or with silver, gold, feathers, lace or crystals. It can either be tied by ribbons or held up by a baton which is a attached to the mask.