The Story of "THE MASKS"

One crisp afternoon, as I wandered through the narrow streets of Venice, something magical caught my eye.  Long gold velvet curtains in a shop window that was the backdrop for a number of positively fantastic Venetian Carnival masks.  Initially, they freaked me out a bit, especially the Jester Mask in the center of the display!  But these Venetian carnival masks were just stunning!  Each mask seemed to tell its own story, an authentic tribute to the skill and passion of the Masotti family, a family whose love for their craft had blossomed and grown through five generations.

I immediately became drawn to the centerpiece: a jester mask that was impossible to ignore.  A little bit scary!!!  And for sure a lot of fun!!!  Painted in red and golds, with a star-shaped headdress that seemed to come alive ( that was the spooky part!) under the shop lights, the mask projected both a bit of fear and mystery.  It’s a bit scary and more than slightly eerie, but the grin made me laugh out loud; there was something completely over-the-top about it. 

I found myself wondering about the artisans who had created these incredible works of art.  So, I went into the shop and started to speak with the youngest of the Masotti family, Zaneta Masotti.  I asked her what had inspired the Masotti’s’ Great Great  Grandfather to make these masks, and she told me that it had all started when her great great grandfather felt embarrassed because he couldn’t afford to buy one of these magnificent masks for Carnival, something that is very, very important to Venetians.  

She told me that after her great-great-grandfather, Lorenzo, had made masks for everyone in his family, his best friend, Matteo, asked him where he bought these magnificent masks that his family wore to Carnival that year.  He proudly told his friend that he had created them.  So, Lorenzo made masks for Lorenzo’s family, and the rest is history!!!  A small, homemade operation blossomed into a thriving business with everyone in the family mastering the intricate patterns and time-consuming techniques of the art of mask-making.  

As I took in the rest of the display, I noticed more than just the jester’s antics.  To one side, a mask with delicate, graceful features radiated quiet elegance.  On the other side, a longer mask glowed with ornate gold details, each swirl and curl speaking of old-world charm.  The dedication and immense talent of the artisan Lorenzo, who created the first masks.  It was easy to imagine these masks coming to life, each of them part of the long history of the Venetian Carnival and a testament to the Masotti family, past and present.

Closer to the front, an incredible parade of smaller masks brought even more personality and complexity to the shot window.  One, shaped like an animal, seemed to glance out from the display.  Another amazed me with intricate patterns and luminous shades of red, cream, and gold, a tiny masterpiece created by one of the dedicated artisans in the Masotti family.  The entire display just seemed to glow as if light was coming from the inside.

As I stood there, I saw it was more than just a window display.  It was a living celebration of Venetian tradition, creativity, and the joyful chaos of Carnival.  For a moment, I felt as if I could step right into the masquerade, becoming part of the magic that the Masotti family had so lovingly created for generations, sharing their incredible skill with everyone.