A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Types of Venetian Masks

Arlecchino
Arlecchino

The Arlecchino mask: a motley history Born in the poor district of Bergamo, the history of this mask is surrounded by mystery... A well-grounded hypothesys claims Michelangelo himself would have created it, by modelling it on the ancient mask of a satyr.

source: camacana.com
Bauta
Bauta

The bauta was often accompanied by a red or black cape and a tricorn. In the 18th century, together with a black cape called a "tabarro", the bauta had become a standardized society mask and disguise regulated by the Venetian government.

image: ebay.com
Colombina
Colombina

Venetian masks are a centuries-old tradition of Venice, Italy. The masks are typically worn during the Carnival (Carnival of Venice), but have been used on many other occasions in the past, usually as a device for hiding the wearer's identity and social status.

Medico Della Peste (The Plague Doctor)
Medico Della Peste (The Plague Doctor)

The costume is also associated with a commedia dell'arte character called Il Medico della Peste (the Plague Doctor), who wears a distinctive plague doctor's mask. The Venetian mask was normally white, consisting of a hollow beak and round eye-holes covered with clear glass, and is one of the distinctive masks worn during the Carnival of Venice.

image: flickr.com
Moretta/Servetta Muta
Moretta/Servetta Muta

The moretta mask, reserved exclusively for women, was a Venetian mask that was round and covered with black velvet. Also known as the 'muta', it perfectly concealed the features of the wearer's face and was very common in Venice in the 18th century.

source: camacana.com
The Arlecchino
The Arlecchino

Climbing the theatrical ladder: the origin of Arlecchino’s mask Harlequin is a fool and a gullible Mask, a servant which can be compared to those found in the Greek New Comedy and in the Latin Comedy.

source: camacana.com
The Bauta
The Bauta

The "noble" or "national" mask of the Serene Republic, this is Venetian costume par excellence. The description given us by Boerio is cursory. He tells us only that it is a veil or cape used as a mask.

The Pantalone
The Pantalone

Pantalone is one of the most famous characters of the Commedia dell'arte. He represents the typical Venetian Merchant of the XVI° century. The name seems to derive from the action of "planting the Lion's flag" into a grove when Venetian militaries won a battle: pianta–Leone panta–Leone.

The Volto
The Volto

Volto (Larva) The larva, also called the volto mask, is mainly white, and typically Venetian. It is worn with a tricorn and cloak. It is thought the word "larva" comes from the Latin meaning "mask" or "ghost". Like the bauta, the shape of the mask allowed the wearer to breathe, drink, and speak easily without having to remove the mask. These masks were made of fine wax cloth and so were light and comfortable to wear, making them ideal for a night of socializing and dancing.

The Zanni
The Zanni

A mask behind a mask: the intertwined stories of Zanni and Harlequin Here we go again, another servant’s mask of the Commedia dell’Arte. Here we go again, another servant’s mask of the Commedia dell’Arte.

source: camacana.com
Volto (Larva)
Volto (Larva)

VOLTO - LARVA (Face - Ghost mask) The "Volto" was the more common mask used in Venice for centuries. Very similar to the Bauta, the most used and almost "standard" mask for men. Volto means "face" to design that is was the most common, simplest mask.

source: delpiano.com
Zanni
Zanni

The name Zanni (as well as Zuan) is a variant of the name Gianni and was common in the Lombard-Venetian countryside which provided most of the servants to the wealthy nobles and merchants of Venice. In Italian it is specifically a name of someone whose identity is not of any importance.

Related Question Categories