What Is the Origin of Venetian Masks?

Venetian masks have been a tradition in Venice for centuries. They are worn primarily during the Carnival of Venice, which is a pre-Lenten festival celebrated on Shrove Tuesday. However, the masks were worn on other occasions as well---such as when the wearer needed to remain anonymous for various purposes, perhaps romantic or even criminal in nature. The masks are generally ornate, bright in color, and have gold or silver decorations. Some are full-face masks and others only eye masks.

13th Century

The first documented mention of the Carnival of Venice occurs in 1092. The first mention of the wearing of carnival masks was made in 1268. The Venetian law makes note of masked men who threw scented eggs at ladies during the carnival. The law prohibited this practice. From this first mention, several different types of masks developed in the Venetian tradition. Each mask carries with it various theories as to its development and each has its own style. Among the most common are the Bauta, Moretta, Volto, and Doctor of the Plague masks.

Bauta

The Bauta mask likely developed from the tradition of a "bogeyman" story that adults told to children. The Bauta mask is white and covers the entire face. The complete costume of Bauta includes a black cape or veil, a black cloak or mantle, and a three-cornered hat. Both men and women wore the Bauta. Its popularity waned when the French and Austrian rule of Venice began.

Moretta

In the beginning, only women wore the Moretta mask. Made of black velvet and oval in shape, the Moretta covered the face to the outer edges and was held in place by a bit that was placed between the teeth. It first became popular with women wearing it when they visited convents. It was often worn with a veil. By the 18th Century, both men and women were wearing the masks to conceal their identity in the gambling houses.

Volto

The Volto, or Larva, mask was among the most common type of mask worn during the carnival. It is a simple white mask, making the wearer appear eerie or ghost-like. It was oval in shape and covered the entire face, with cutouts for the eyes, but no cutout for the mouth. Because it was so common, it was often known as the "citizen" mask because ordinary people, such as servants, wore it during carnival and other events that called for a disguise.

Dottore Peste

The Dottore Peste mask is a fairly modern Carnival mask. It includes a large, beak-like nose, openings for the eyes, and a scarf-like mask over the face. The mask was developed based upon the outfit worn by the doctor who visited victims of the plague. The hat of the costume shows that the wearer is a physician, a mask protects the doctor's face, and the large beak held spices and herbs to purify the air the physician was breathing.

References

• History of Venetian Carnival and Venetian Carnival Masks
• Exploring the Origin of Venetian Masks
• Volto Masks