Venetian Carnival Mask in Gold and Black Watercolor by Andreea Eva Herczegh

A vivid watercolor depiction of a Venetian carnival mask.
A classic Venetian mask was worn to conceal one's identity; as a result, the Venetian Carnival eventually developed a following for mask wearers.
Commedia dell'Arte masks and Carnival masks are the two types of masks.

Venetian masks are connected to the Venetian Carnival, which some historians suggest was first celebrated in 1168 and which first appears in writing in the 13th century.
By the time mask-making (mascareri) was acknowledged as a legal profession in Venice in the year 1436, they had consolidated their efforts through the Guild of Decorators.

Under the Republic of Venice, only aristocrats were allowed to participate in politics and public life, creating a highly stratified society in Venice.
In contrast, the carnival relaxed the restrictions and made it possible for aristocracy and commoners to mix.

When Mussolini outlawed it in 1930, it appeared that both the Carnival and Venetian masks had a place in Venice's past.
After a small number of organizers united in 1979 to bring Carnival back to Venice, Venetian business owners rapidly realized it might serve as a very valuable supplemental tourist season.
Many of the highlights of contemporary carnival, such as the Water Parade, Festa delle Marie, and the Flight of the Angel, heavily rely on masks.

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