The Venetian Carnival is a renowned annual festival held in Venice, Italy, celebrated worldwide for its intricate masks and costumes. The Carnival concludes on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, and usually occurs in March.

The Carnival was originally said to be held to celebrate the military victory of the Venetian Republic over the Patriarch of Aquileia, Ulrich II von Treven, in the year 1162. In honour of this, the people gathered in St Mark's Square and danced.  Over the years, this Baroque festival was celebrated for its own sake, with its original meaning fading into obscurity. It encouraged licence and pleasure, allowing Venetians to forget their personal anguish for a while. However, under the rule of the Holy Roman Emperor and later the 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 19th century, but only for brief periods and in private feasts, where it became an occasion for artistic creations.

After a prolonged dissapearance, the Carnival returned in 1979. The Italian government decided a revival of the history and culture of Venice was in order and used the traditional Carnival as the centrepiece of its efforts. The restoration of the masks began as the pursuit of a few Venetian college students to support the tourist trade. Following this, approximately 3 million visitors visit Venice every year for the Carnival. One of the major events is the contest for la maschera più bella ("the most beautiful mask"), which is judged by a panel of international costumers and fashion designers.

Masks have always been an essential feature of the Carnival. Traditionally, people were permitted to wear them between Saint Stephen's Day (December 26) and the end of the Carnival season at midnight of Shrove Tuesday (February to early March). Maskmakers, or mascherari enjoyed a special position in society, with their own laws and guild. The Mascherari were assisted by sign-painters who drew faces onto plaster in a range of different shapes.

Venetian masks can be made of leather, porcelain, or papier-mâché. Beyond their historical function of allowing the wearer to enjoy anonymity while committing illicit activities, like gambling, drinking in bars, or visiting disreputable establishments, the mask also served as a tool for social liberation. During the Carnival, the mask allowed individuals to transcend their usual identities, allowing them to interact with others outside their social class, behave in ways they ordinarily could not, and even adopt different personas. This sense of liberation and anonymity contributed to the allure of the Carnival, where the usual rules of society were temporarily suspended, and everyone, regardless of status, could participate in the festivities.

A white mask that covers the entire face, with an elongated shape and a protruding chin. It was the most widespread and most democratic mask, because it could be worn by men and women, and by all social classes, guaranteeing anonymity and freedom of speech; it was also used on official occasions, such as voting or political meetings.

A black oval mask worn by women. It was held in place by biting on a button attached to the back of the mask. This made it impossible to speak. This supposedly made the woman mysterious and alluring to the men trying to guess her identity.

Resembling a bird's beak, it was traditionally used by doctors to avoid contagion. Nowadays it is typically worn as part of a carnival costume on 'Fat Tuesday'.

It resembles a cat’s or a pig’s muzzle. Gnaghe were men wearing women’s clothes. The name described their voices, which "sounded like cats in heat".  The gnaghe  improvised performances, were singing, dancing, making music or mayhem and uttered obscenities.

It is based on a character from the Commedia dell’Arte. He is a cunning, old, decadent, wealthy man who is out for money or seducing beautiful women. With his red costume, black cape and hooked nose he depicts the character of the merchants of Venice.

Another character of the Commedia dell’Arte. He is the harlequin, the prankster. The character is possibly of medieval origin.

Based on the sweetheart of Arlecchino, and therefore also called the Arlecchina. The Colombina mask comes in many forms, from simple to richly decorated and adorned with gemstones and feathers. It is the most popular mask for women.

Beyond the enigmatic masks that serve as the centrepiece of the carnival, the event also features elegant gowns and suits designed in the opulent styles of 18th-century Baroque , Rococo , and Renaissance fashion, in reminiscence of the glorious splendour of the Serenissima (translates to "The Most Serene", a nickname for the Republic of Venice).

The colours of the Carnival are rich and deep, often incorporating jewel tones like gold, burgundy, emerald green and midnight blue. However, there is no restriction to what colours may be used. Embellishments like ribbons, lace, feathers, gems, beads and sequins are adorned on the garments to enhance their luxurious nature. The costumes use shimmery, soft fabrics like velvet, satin and brocade. Gold and silver accents can also be found in the form of trim, embroidery, and embellishments.