Hidden identities, secret intrigues. Venice, once the golden seat for the conspiracies of an Adriatic empire, slowly declined into the European center of debauchery for generations of disillusioned wastrels flaunting the strictures of the world beyond its waters. By the time Alyse Kate Bryant steps into the island’s ruins in FACES IN THE WATER, Venice has little more left than the legends of what she once was. But those legends grow restless and unwitting accomplices breathe life into those ruthless, hungry elemental powers ready to live again. photo credit: Stefano Montagner Shadowy assignations, sinister bargains. The masks of Venice have become a symbol of the city, a metaphor for her once darkly glittering splendor. Although associated with Carnival, Venetians clung to their masks, not just for that wild celebration, but to cast a veil of mystery over any number of machinations from gambling to dabbling with nuns to courting across class boundaries. Commedia Dell’arte contributed heavily to the look of Carnival, contributing the masks of its stock characters to the cast of revelers. What follows are among the most popular. Arlecchino (The Harlequin) This character’s mask come in a variety of shapes but tend to be characterized the diamond-pattern decoration. Patalone (The Miserly Merchant) Named after St. Pantaleone a favored saint of the city, the merchants were those who “planted lions,” aka trade and commerce in newly conquered countries. The mask is generally a ¾ mask of an old man with a beakish nose. Colombina (The Maidservant) A highly decorated half mask held either on a baton or tied on by ribbons. (Many who choose the Colombina character wear no mask at all.) Il Dottore/Balanzone (The Scholar) A rotund, pompous character loaded with misinformation, Balanzone sports an upper brow mask with a rounded nose. The rest of the costume traditionally consists of a black academic cloak with a wide ruffled collar and cuffs. The Capitano (The Captain) A flesh-colored, or ruddy half mask with a prominent nose and often a moustache, the character portrayed a swaggering bravado, but was pure coward at heart. The Paglianccio (The Joker-Clown) Also known by some as the Jolly Venetian mask, this mask is often characterized by the curling tapers, often bearing bells at their tips. Pulcinella (The Crooked-Nosed Hunchback) A brown or black wrinkled half mask with a hooked nose, this character takes after its name “little chicken” with puckish manner and shrill dialog. Zanni (The Threadbare Old Servant) One of the iconic masks of Venice, the Zanni is a half mask with a very long, pointed nose. The character is subservient and put upon, hard of hearing, clumsy, and possessed of poor eyesight…often leading to comedic outcomes. Masks from Venetian Tradition The traditional Venetian masks enter the official history books in the 13th century as a cover for young men tossing perfume or rose water-filled eggs at ladies—something that had to be prohibited by law. I'll cover these masks in a later post. If you love all things Venice, or simply need a good escape into a dark cobblestone alleyway, check out my series THE SHADES OF VENICE on Amazon!
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