Over a year ago I developed an obsession with masks. It was not the common nowadays obsession with protective masks but a fancy obsession with the Venice Carnival masks. And it was not just with any kind of the Venetian masks but rather with one particular type - the Jester masks. I felt a strong urge to implement the Jester mask images in my photography and could not resist this idee fixe. So I started to create still life images where a Jester mask played a role of the centerpiece. So far I completed seven such natura mortes and still do not feel completely cured. It was a pretty elaborate project - each image took around two-three weeks from start to finish.
A short introduction for those who have never heard of the Venice Carnival - the etymology of Carnival is from Medieval Latin 'carne vale' that literally translated means 'meat, farewell'. Carnevale is celebrated in the pre-Lent period before Catholics spend forty days in deep reflection and give up luxuries such as meat. During the celebrations merrymakers are free to eat, drink, and dance without reproof.
According to legend, one of the most famous carnivals around the world, the Carnival of Venice, started in the 12th century. The Venetian Republic defeated the Patriarch of Aquileia, Ulrico di Treven, he was taken prisoner and later released in 1162. The sharp-witted Venetians in exchange for his release requested payment of an annual tribute of a bull, twelve pigs and 300 loaves of bread to be delivered in the last days before Lent. In the honour of this victory, the people started to dance and gather in San Marco Square where the animals would be slaughtered in a public ceremony on 'Fat Thursday'.
The Republic of Venice only allowed nobles to participate in government and public life. Carnival of Venice relaxed the rules and allowed people of different classes to mingle together, which was not allowed at other times during the year. This tradition can be traced at least to the traditions of ancient Roman festivities such as Saturnalia. Venetian masks have always been a unique and important feature of the Venetian carnival. They made it possible for people of different classes to mingle together, which was not allowed at other times during the year.
Venetian masks may be generally classified under three major groups: Commedia Dell’Arte masks, traditional Venetian masks, and fantasy masks. Almost all of them are fancy faceless masks or depict funny recognizable characters, except for, maybe the Jester masks. The traditional Jester mask (the Joker mask depicts a male character, the Jolly - being the female equivalent) portrays a court Jester of the Middle Ages wearing a hat known as the fool's hat. It has three points or "punte" with the bells on the end that represent the tail and ears of a donkey. Another type of the Jester mask has multiple points spread evenly all around its face. In my opinion, this mysterious mask is in a class of its own, there is even confusion as to what mask group it belongs to. More about it in Part 2, below are still life images with Jester masks I created so far.
Venetian Mask and Shells
White Mask
Jolly Mask and Birds
White Mask, Bust, and Lemons
Farewell to MMXX (2020)
White Mask and Watches
Eight Birds and Mask
Gallery 14 Juried Photography Exhibition 2022