Masks - Venice: A Travel Guide to Murano Glass, Carnival Masks, Gondolas, Lace, Paper and More - page 47

day (also called Fat Tuesday), which usually falls in February. In these early centuries,
the official period of mask wearing was the one time of year when social divisions were
blurred; behind the mask it was impossible to tell aristocracy from the lower classes. Schol-
ars believe that mask wearing allowed people some relief from the rigidity of Venetian class
divisions. By the seventeenth century, Carnival celebrations were not the only setting for
the wearing of masks. Venetians also wore masks during state ceremonies, at society balls,
at opera and theater performances, and at other public events.
While today we think of Venetian Carnival masks as opulent, even ostentatious, the
early ones were simple affairs, little more than unadorned faceplates of white or black. By
the time Venetian Carnival reached it zenith in the sixteenth century, masks had become
more elaborate along with the costumes and jewelry for which Venetians were world-
renowned. In fact, masks are inextricably linked to the history of costume in Venice. In the
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, costume renters ran successful businesses, outfitting
their clients with sumptuous fabrics adorned with tassels, trims, beads, feathers, ruffles,
jewels, pearls, and other finery. As the theater genre of the Commedia dell'Arte gained
popularity, many Venetian masks emulated popular characters from the stage.
MASKED MEN
Specific laws governed the wearing and use of the baùta , a standard Venetian
mask worn within the context of Venetian government. The baùta could be
worn only by Venetian citizens and at times of significant political and law-
making events when it was important for people to remain anonymous in the
interest of fair decision-making. In this interesting turn of events, what started
out as a practice to turn societal structure on its head, instead ended up sus-
taining it.
When the Republic fell at the end of the eighteenth century, the ruling king of Austria
outlawed Carnival celebrations in Venice, specifically banning the wearing of masks. The
art of Venetian mask making fell into a lull until Carnival was revived in the late 1970s;
the efforts of just a few local mask makers renewed the tradition. At that time, the Italian
government sought to boost tourism and made the Carnevale di Venezia the focus of their
efforts. The number of mask makers grew quickly, and today there is a group of notable
mask makers carrying on the traditional techniques.