La Giullare

The Venetian masks

Anonymous masks have traditionally been a crucial feature in Venetian Carnival, whose origins date back to the 12th century. In the rigid class hierarchy it developed into a feast of social satire where ones social background doesn’t count. The mask-makers (mascherari) even had their own guild and laws to abide by.

The Venetians were allowed to wear masks for almost three month a year, from St. Stephans Day, December 26, until the last day of Carnival.