Vincenzo Girasoli
The Iconic Bauta
The costume known as Bauta (from the German “bewahren” or “huten” – to conceal/protect) is the most iconic costume. It was designed in the XIII century to fully conceal the wearer’s identity: the shape of the mask hides the face features and muffles the voice – it also allows the wearer to eat or drink without having to remove it. A black cape and a three-corned hat or Tricorne completes the costume: thus attired, no one could guess if the person they were talking to was a man or a woman, a rich or a pauper. In time, the Bauta became more than a mask, it was elevated to Venetian regular fashion: no one would leave home without this costume and people would greet each other saying “Good day, Noble Mask” . In 1748 comedian writer Goldoni included a Bauta in one of his plays for the first time, creating Commedia dell’Arte. This new theatrical genre granted Bauta worldwide notoriety, making of it one of the icons of the Baroque period. Continue reading clicking the below button Next >
