The carnival of Venice means colour and beauty, mystery and secret love. In their lavish and colourful dresses, these two women hide their true faces behind traditional carnival masks. In this gallery you will see people with beautiful masks or painted faces. Carnival masks are an integral part of the carnival, so much that you will even see pizzas in the form of masks!
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Even though it was a forbidden practice long ago, painting one's face is popular, especially among children. Here a young boy is having his face painted. During the carnival, the piazza in front of the central station is full of friendly people helping visitors have their faces painted.
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One of the oldest Venetian masks is the bauta, covering the whole face and having no mouth but a square and protruding jaw line allowing the wearer to eat and drink without removing the mask. Wearing a tricorn hat has always been common, particularly with the bauta. In the 18th century, wearing a bauta and a cape was mandatory during certain political decision-making meetings to secure anynomous participation. The lady is wearing a colombine – more about that later.
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A display of various masks in a shop window in Venice. The tradition of wearing a mask goes back to the 13th century, but the practice has been restricted and there were strict rules about when masks could be worn. Masks are nowadays usually made of papier maché or gesso, a kind of primer including animal glue, chalk and white paint. They are decorated with gold leaf, hand-painted and often adorned with feathers and pearls. Originally, masks were made of leather or even glass or porcelain.
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Here we se a Colombina, a half-mask covering the eyes only. It can be tied round the head like other masks or held up to the face with the help of a baton or stick. It is named after the Commedia dell'Arte figure Colombina, the counterpart of Arlecchino (Harlequin).
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This little girl in her beautiful red dress is wearing a colombine mask. The continuation of the Venetian carnival tradition is safe, since the young generation follows in the footsteps of their elders – or rather walks side by side with them. I can warmly recommend a visit to the carnival of Venice!
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