Wearing masks

 Lady impersonating the spirit of the carneval, "Donna vestita da spirito folletto" by Giovanni Grevembroch

Finding pictures of people wearing masks are much harder to find than when the maska are held in the hand. That's not so odd- why would you want to have a apinting of yourself when you are wearing a masked. So masked ladies and gentlemen tend to be generic rather than specific, but still making interesting pictures.

Snuff box, ca. 1760-1765

A Masked Lady, Luca Carlevarijs, ca. 1700-1710

 Wearing Moretta masks

A Masked Lady, Luca Carlevarijs, ca. 1700-1710

"Mascara" by Giovanni Grevembroch

 Pietro Longhi painted a numer of paintings depicting masked people that didn't have to be attending a masquerade, rather an example to how masks could be worn in daily life. The white mask is called Bauta or Bautta and was very popular as it allowed the wearer to eat and drink. This masked could be worn both by men and women. Note the child in the Harlequine-costume.


 

The Ridotto by Pietro Longhi, 1750s

Minuet with Pantaloon and Colombine by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo, 1757

Spectators buying tickets outside the theater by Carlo Goldoni, Commedie, 1788-95

Pictures found at:
http://www.delpiano.com/carnival/html/diavoletto.html
http://collections.vam.ac.uk/
http://50yearsindance.com/category/carnival/
http://loveisspeed.blogspot.se/
http://www.wikipaintings.org/
http://historymusings.wordpress.com/