Wearing masks started out as a way to relax and get out for the Carnival season but soon evolved to be used throughout day to day life. They became common place at balls and large social gatherings. By the 16th century masks were often worn to disguise one’s self while participating in some risky venture, such as gambling rooms or shady business dealings.

The type of mask worn to completely hide identity were known as the Bauta mask, often simply plain white, covering the whole face but had no mouth. It was worn with a tricorno hat and a zendale (lace and satin hood) to make the disguise complete.

Another type of mask often seen worn by women, was known a# the Moretta or a Muta mask. This mask was black velvet, perfectly round, muting a women’s features, and had no mouth. There was a small button on a string on the inside that the woman would bite on to hold the mask in place (staying silent while she had the mask on). This gave the woman the opportunity to not engage in conversation with someone pursuing interest if she was interested in them,

And, of course, there was the long nosed mask, known as a Medico della Peste, that was designed for doctors to wear during the plague in the 17th century. The mask covered the full face, with Murano glass inserted to protect the eye openings, and sachets of herbs and spice inserted into a long nose supposedly to protect from germs and the smell of disease (which also gave the doctor some distancing from the patient).

The use of masks was abolished in 1797 by Napoleon. Then in the 1970s the art was resurrected in Venezia along with Carnival.