Taking place for the entertainment of the high-classes, the masquerade balls were also held for the reason of marriages’ celebration, the first one being known as the “Bal des Ardents” being organized at the order of Charles VI of France (end of the 14th century).
During the 16th century – Italy, the festivities are being also intended to the public and it became associated with the Venetian Carnival (even if it has other roots I will be talking about the next post – Social Statements). Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, the carnivals became very popular in Europe. The people are dressing as nuns, harlequins, naval-commanders and so, letting inspiration flow within the past political and social scandals.
One tragic consequence of the masquerade ball is the assassination of Gustav III of Sweden, later on, the event being the subject of the opera “Gustave III”.
Identity – Hit or Miss
Guests were dressed in such way that they could be blended in the scenario, so the recognition hypothesis would become easily a big challenge and a risk also.
The fun stood in the uses of the masks such as hiding the identity or freely expressing itself through the bold classic colours without having the fear of being judged, because everyone else in the room was the same.
bztinspired 