The annual Venice Carnevale waved goodbye to ornate masks, elaborate costumes, and soaring wigs yesterday on its final day. Throughout the colourful event, participants disguise themselves with traditional embellished Venetian masks in a Baroque ceremony that features plays, musicals, and performances around the twisting streets of the city. The origin of the festival is somewhat contested, but it is believed it once acted as a release from the strict class structure in early Venice. People could become anonymous, dissolving into the crowds in a flurry of colour and texture.
Today, the Carnevale is the epitome of Venetian culture, taking place in the lead up to lent every year. It’s become a time of celebration and provides the opportunity to enter a fantasy world for a few days.
I visited Venice in the lead up to the Carnevale a number of years ago, and it was like stepping into a magical world where every cobbled alley and piazza was lined with mask-riddled shops. The colours were amazing and the atmosphere was buzzing. Unfortunately, I had to leave before the festival began, but I hope to visit this huge European celebration at some point in the future.
For today’s post, I have collected a series of photo posts documenting this year’s Venice Carnevale, as a kind of escape for those of you who didn’t go (and a nostalgic reminder for those of you who did). Click on the headers below to be transported to the vibrant world of the Carnival.
Venice Carnival 2014 Photography, by An Enchanted Eye
I’m a big fan of Eleanor’s photography, so was thrilled when I came across her series documenting her time at the Venice Carnival. Expect more than just your usual mask shots.
Fabulous Venice Carnival, by Delightful Italy
This selection of close-up images from the Venice Carnival really show off the amazing intricate detail that go into the masks and costumes. The colours are simply fantastic, too!
Carnevale, Venice Italy, by Marina Dee
Marina manages to capture the atmosphere around Venice during the festival, showing the juxtaposition between the everyday lives of the locals and the glitzy, glamorous beings of the festival. She also includes some great general shots of Venice in this collection.
Travelogue: ITALY – Masquerading at Venice Carnival, by Nick Saglimbeni
Nick’s dark, atmospheric photos show a different side to the Venice Carnival, where anonymity prevails and everyone is playing at being someone they are not.
Want more?
- LIFE: Carnival in Venice 2014, by This Italian Life
- The Venice Carnival, by Kitt Noir
- Venice: Grand Days, by Georgianna Lane
- Photographs of the Venice Carnival, by Scott Stulberg
- Carnevale in Venice, Italy – PHOTOS, by Latitude 34
Have you been to the Venice Carnival? Do you want to go?
We never miss Carnevale. It’s become a tradition to get dressed up and masquerade since we moved to Italy 5 years ago.
Sounds great! I’m hoping to go either next year or the year after
Hi, thanks very much for the plug Lizzie – I’m glad you like my style and understand what I like to photograph! (And you’ve given me a much-needed poke to go update my Venice carnival gallery!)
My pleasure Eleanor, I love your photography… always brightens up my day when a new piece pops up in my reader!