‘Il Gioco, l’Amore e la Follia’ (Game, Love and Folly), was the chosen theme for the Venice Carnevale 2020. This was one of the first photos I took during the Carnevale. The Venice Carnevale is characterised by masked costumers and their outrageous costumes, but local Italians actually prefer costumes with painted faces. My friends Emy Sabbatini and Gabriele Annovi are two of the best known Italian costumers at the Venice Carnevale every year. I like Emy and Gabriele's costumes very much because most of them have a movie and/ or comic theme to it.
According to legend, the Carnival of Venice started following the military victory of the Venetian Republic over the Patriarch of Aquileia, Ulrico di Treven in the year 1162. In the honour of this victory, the people started to dance and gather in San Marco Square. Apparently, this festival started in that period and became official in the Renaissance. In the seventeenth century, the baroque carnival was a way to save the prestigious image of Venice in the world. It was very famous during the eighteenth century. It encouraged licence and pleasure, but it was also used to protect Venetians from present and future anguish.However, under the rule of the Holy Roman Emperor and later Emperor of Austria, Francis II, the festival was outlawed entirely in 1797 and the use of masks became strictly forbidden. It reappeared gradually in the nineteenth century, but only for short periods and above all for private feasts, where it became an occasion for artistic creations.
After a long absence, the Carnival returned in 1979. The Italian government decided to bring back the history and culture of Venice and sought to use the traditional Carnival as the centrepiece of its efforts. The redevelopment of the masks began as the pursuit of some Venetian college students for the tourist trade. Since then, approximately 3 million visitors come to Venice every year for the Carnival.
During this time, the main streets of Venice are often crowded with tourists and sometimes, private appointments with friends are a real necessity to get better pictures (especially when they have some of the best costumes around), away from the crowds. This photo is done as part of the Venetian Movie Series, late at night in a secluded alley.
For more photos of my Venetian Movie Series, please head over to my gallery - Venetian Movie Series...
https://www.robinyongphotography.com/venetian-movie-series
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