Sunday, 24 February 2013

The Spirit of Carnevale




The Spirit of Carnevale



Medium : Acrylic on Canvas

Size :



The title gives it away. Yes, it is about the grandeur-filled Venetian Carnevale with its parties, dances and music that make it special. But the first thing that comes to the mind when we think of Venice's grand Carnevale is the splendid dressing and yes, the beautiful venetian masks. These masks made in Venice for over centuries, stand as the icon of the Carnevale in a way with its beauty created by intricate craftsmanship of the mask makers. These masks have always been an element of mystery, giving the wearer the anonymity and protecting his identity for various reasons be it political, forbidden love or just as a surprise factor. The mask hid not only the wearer's face but also his or her entire identity and status thereby making it easier for anybody to relate, express and socialize with him or her without the status clash getting in the way and also helping the occasional forbidden lovers (as much as helping the political /governing police forces and anti social plotters) In this painting "The Spirit of Carnevale" I have illustrated a 'larva' or 'ghost' mask in an attempt to capture and depict the elements of beauty, grace and of course, mystery. 

"Sometimes One wears a mask for a long time , so long that what is underneath it is forgotten and the mask remains , becoming the real visage and the wearer becomes a  lost specter. "

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