Venetian mask

Venetian mask

Venetian masks are a centuries-old tradition of Venice, Italy. Worn during the "Carnevale" (the Carnival of Venice, elsewhere known as Mardi Gras), they come in all different colors and they can be full-face masks or eye masks. Many designs are taken from Commedia dell'arte.

Near the end of the Republic, the wearing of masks in daily life was severely restricted. By the 18th century, it was limited only to about three months from December 26. It was gradually shortened into the week-long festivities that now comprise the "Carnevale"

In the film "Eyes Wide Shut", Venetian masks feature prominently in the secret society's rituals. The store that supplied the masks was Il Canovaccio in Venice, which has on display the original mask worn in the film by actor Tom Cruise.

One of the more distinctive masks is that of the plague doctor.

External links

* [http://www.venetianmasksshop.com/history.htm History of Venetian Carnival Masks]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Mask — For other uses, see Mask (disambiguation). This stone mask from the pre ceramic neolithic period dates to 7000 BCE and is probably the oldest mask in the world (Musée de la Bible et de la Terre Sainte) …   Wikipedia

  • Venetian — The term Venetian may refer to:*Venetian language * Venice (disambiguation) *Venetian Gothic architecture, originated in the 14th century *Venetians in Movement, an Italian political party * Venetia, disambiguation * Veneto, region of Italy *… …   Wikipedia

  • Domino mask — A domino mask is a small, rounded mask covering only the eyes and the space between them. Since the 18th century, the domino mask is worn during carnival. Venetian Carnival masks were known as domini because they resembled French priests winter… …   Wikipedia

  • Lion mask — is a motif used from antiquity as an emblem of strength, courage, and majesty. The lion mask holding a ring in its mouth for a handle derives from ancient Rome furniture and it continues to be popular as doorknocker. Both Venetian and Façon de… …   Wikipedia

  • Eyes Wide Shut — Données clés Titre québécois Les yeux grand fermés Titre original Eyes Wide Shut Réalisation Stanley Kubrick Scénario Stanley Kubrick Frederic Raphael d après la nouvelle Traumnovelle d …   Wikipédia en Français

  • List of fashion topics — This is a list of topics related to fashion, many of which do not yet have Wikipedia articles. NOTOC 0 9 1300 1400 in fashion 1500 1550 in fashion 1600 1650 in fashion 1700 1750 in fashion 1795 1820 in fashion 20th century fashion A A line A line …   Wikipedia

  • Bauta — may refer to: *A city and municipality in Cuba: Bauta, Cuba *The traditional Venetian Mask: Bauta, mask *Bautasten, the Scandinavian name for Menhir …   Wikipedia

  • Marry Me a Little (Desperate Housewives) — Marry Me a Little Desperate Housewives episode Episode no. Season 5 Episode 22 Directed by Larry Shaw Wri …   Wikipedia

  • Little Italy, San Diego, California — Little Italy is a neighborhood in Downtown San Diego, California that was originally a predominately Italian fishing neighborhood. It has since been gentrified and now Little Italy is a scenic neighborhood composed mostly of Italian restaurants,… …   Wikipedia

  • Reader's Digest Condensed Books — were a series of anthology books, available by subscription and originally published quarterly (the frequency of publication went through several changes over the years), by Reader s Digest. Each volume consisted of three to five current… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”