A hobgoblin is a household spirit, appearing in English folklore, once considered helpful, but which since the spread of Christianity has often been considered mischievous.
Hobgoblins seem to be small, hairy little men who, like their close relatives the brownies, are often found within human dwellings, doing odd jobs around the house while the family is asleep. Such chores are typically small tasks like dusting and ironing. Often, the only compensation necessary in return for these is food.
While brownies are more peaceful creatures, hobgoblins are more fond of practical jokes. They also seem to be able to shapeshift, as seen in one of Puck's monologues in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Robin Goodfellow is perhaps the most mischievous and most infamous of all his kind, but many are less antagonizing. Like other fairy folk, hobgoblins are easily annoyed. They can be mischievous, frightening, and even dangerous. Attempts to give them clothing will often banish them forever, though whether they are offended by such gifts or are simply too proud to work in new clothes differs from teller to teller.
Hobgoblin is a slightly different Venetian mask at the Venice Carnevale by French veteran costumer Jerome Biaut. The costume is very colorful and has a very interesting and different color scheme to other costumes. It does have a joyful party/ Halloween feel to it as well.
It was on a rainy day that I had a chance meeting with Jerome outside my hotel. On rainy days, the masks often do not come out because the wet weather may ruin their costumes. I have just finished shopping at a flea market held at a nearby church. We did the photos at the entrance of a tunnel so the background behind appears totally dark. As with most of my photos, everything is done using natural lighting only. In Venice photography, we make do with what we have....