40 Portraits in Disguise: Carnival of Venice in Creative Mask Design

The city of Venice is back again to celebrate its time-honored spectacular Carnevale. Carnival or also known as mardi gras is a fun filled moments of dazzling costume party parades and masquerade balls concluding on Shrove Tuesday of February 21, 2012. The term carnival originates from Latin that means “Farewell, meat!” wherein people are required to fast, throughout the period until Ash Wednesday.

This year 2012 Venice Carnival theme is La vita e teatro! Tutti in maschera or “Life is a theater. It’s time to get masked.” describing Venice as truly the capital of European theatre. The exceptional event celebration will continue for two colorful weeks. Let’s watch the video below.

If you would like to celebrate an important event or simply want to travel to Venice with your event or portrait photography, these types of special event can be unequalled! Venice Carnival formally opened last February 11 accompanied by a huge celebration in Saint Mark’s Square. Then a costumed figure arrives the following day via a rope from the bell tower, traditionally known as the Flight of Angel. A giant group kiss ends the event at midnight in Saint Mark’s Square along with a stunning fireworks showcase across the Venetian lagoon. You may grab the Program Event in PDF form or check out their Official Website for more details.

VENETIAN MASKS

Venetian masks are traditionally made from papier-mache and sometimes made of leather. Wearing a mask was designed to keep people somewhat anonymous with their lavish costumes. It made it possible for the lower classes of Italian society to get close and rub shoulders with the upper classes.

Venice Carnival Mask Types

Bauta is a mask which covers the whole face, this was a traditional piece of art, with a stubborn chin line, no mouth, and lots of gilding.
Columbina is a half mask often highly decorated with gold, silver, crystals and feathers.
Medico Della Peste or the Plague Doctor with its long beak is one of the most bizarre and recognizable of the Venetian masks.
Moretta brought out the beauty of feminine features such as the female head, body and mind.
Volto or Larva mainly white mask and is worn with a tricorn and cloak.

VENICE CARNIVAL’S PORTRAITS IN DISGUISE

Everyone performs a lot of role-playing throughout his life wherein the Venice Carnival amazingly sum it up with its creative mask design. Here are 40 stunning colorful portrait photography of masked people in dazzling costumes taken during the Carnival season. It was a huge tourist attraction irregardless if you’re a Christian or not.

1. Photo via HogsvilleBrit

2. Photo via Nemodus photos

3. Photo via Daniele Franceschini