Mardi Gras Masks

Mardi Gras masks originated in Venice, Italy, where Carnival, or Carnevale, was first celebrated in the Middle Ages and became an official event in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. In Catholicism, Carnival is the time between the Epiphany on January 6 and Ash Wednesday, beginning Lent, 40 days of repentance and self-denial before Easter Sunday. Carnival, in contrast, is a time when desires are indulged and social rules are flouted. That's where the masks come in—wearers in Renaissance and Baroque Venice could engage in previously forbidden behavior during Carnevale and masquerade balls without facing consequences later, whether that would be committing a crime like theft or vandalism, dressing as a member of a higher or lower class, or engaging in an illicit romance. Venetian Carnival masks are characterized by their ornate, artistic designs with gold and silver Baroque flourishes; they are often inspired by the popular entertainment of the era, known as Commedia dell'arte. Bauta, or baùtta, masks cover the whole face with no mouth. Traditionally, the mask featured a prominent brow line and oversize nose. The mask's chin would be at an angle so the wearer could talk or drink or eat, and often was worn with a cape and a tricorn hat. The Columbina—named after Commedia dell'arte stock character Columbine—is a half-mask or eye mask either held up to the face with a long stick or tied to the head with ribbons. These masks, said to have been created by an actress who didn't want to completely hide her beautiful face, are often lavishly adorned with feathers, crystals, gold, and silver. The "medico della peste" or "plague doctor" mask was first inspired 17th-century French doctor Charles de Lorme, who developed a bird-like mask he believed would protect physicians from catching the plague. The doctor mask had crystal discs over the eyes and a curved beak covering the mouth and nose that was filled with fragrant substances thought to purify the air of the disease. Carnevale medico della peste masks would have hollow beaks and be worn with a black cloak, white gloves, and a stick. This costume served as a "memento mori," or a reminder that everyone will die someday. The moretta ("dark one") or servetta muta ("mute servant woman") mask is a small oval made of black velvet with no mouth or lips but wide eye holes. It would be held in place by biting on a button or bit (rendering the wearer mute) and was sometimes attached to a veil. Probably because of the sheer challenge of silently holding it in place, it fell out of favor by 1760 and hasn't returned. A modern Venetian mask, the volto ("face") or larva ("ghost") mask is typically white, made of porcelain, plastic, or light waxed paper, but may be gilded or decorated. Such a mask will cover the forehead and reach all the way back to the ears and show simple expressions on the nose and sealed lips. Tied on with a ribbon, it has to be removed for the wearer to eat or drink. Other masks inspired by Commedia dell'arte include Pantalone (Pantaloon), Arlecchino (Harlequin), Zanni, Brighella (Bergano), Pulcinella (Punch), and Scaramuccio (Scaramouche). Representing a sad old man, a Pantalone mask features an oversize beak-like nose, slanted eyes, and high eyebrows. Arlecchino was a clever and impish servant or jester of Pantalone in a costume of multicolored diamonds. He was represented with a wooden or leather half-mask with a short, wide nose, round arching eyebrows, and a forehead bump meant to stand-in for devil's horns. Masks representing Zanni or supporting servant characters have prominent eyebrows, low foreheads, and long noses that curve upward at the end. A Pucinella mask has a long, crooked nose. In 1797, Holy Roman Emperor Francis II outlawed Carnevale and mask-wearing, in part because of the chaos, mischief, and debauchery masked citizens engaged in. While Carnival would not fully return to Venice until 1979, the celebration spread across Europe, and over the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas. Today, masks and costumes are also a vital part of the famous Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans—even though it's illegal to wear masks in the city the rest of the year. Member of the parading secret societies known as "krewes" wear masks to conceal their identities. While it's not uncommon to see Venetian-style masks in NOLA, the styles expanded beyond Commedia characters to include animals and human-animal hybrids like satyrs and mermaids, devils and demons, monsters, skeletons, comedy/tragedy theater masks, clowns, and other human characters like monks and thieves. Masks made entirely of beads are also used. Traditional Mardi Gras masks are the inspiration for souvenir ceramic wall hangings and jewelry like brooches and earrings.