Costumes+and+Masks


 * __ ~COSTUMES and MASKS~ __**


 * In comedia del arte, there are often many kinds of costumes and masks used in order to let the audience see the distinctiveness of each character- specifically the male roles. Every character would have a unique mask and costume, except for the inamorato and the female characters. **

Not only were masks used to distinguish the characters, they were also used to convey specific emotions relevant to the character’s situation. The mask was as responsible for expressing the characters as the actors were. Masks were the foundation each character, they didn't just tell the audience how the character was feeling, but also the actor himself. The actors job was to "preform the mask”, using its expression as a guide for the way their character should act and feel.
 * __ MASKS -- __**

Making the mask:  There are two possible materials for the mask to be made of: either leather, or Neoprene. Originally, the masks were all made of leather, but recently neoprene has become a very popular medium. The masks were all specially made and tailored to show a specific emotion for a specific character. Areas of the masks that are most sculpted are the cheeks, eyebrows, upper lip and nose.

Different types of masks: While many of the masks used in each play have many similar aspects, there are certain features on some character’s masks in order to act as a trade mark in order to make them more recognizable to the audience. For example, Zanni's such as Arlecchino would often have short stubby noses on their masks, where as a master, like Pantalone, would have large overly exaggerated noses with some sort of facial hair. **__ COSTUMES __****__ -- __**

Arlecchino/ Harlequin-

The zanni, Arlecchino, is easily one of the most recognizable characters as is almost always portrayed wearing the same type of black mask and colorful patched up costume, usually bright colors like yellow, blue, red, and green. Pantalone -

Pantalone is often seen wearing tightly fitted clothing with a cape, usually within the color scheme of red and black. His mask stands out with its large curved nose, and mustache/beard hair. “Fun fact: the trousers associated with the character Pantalone became known as pantaloons due to his popularity, later shortened to just pants.” Women Characters :

The women were identified with their costumes only. The audience could recognize their character through their clothing, as it would show how upper or lower class that character was; also the use of colors to express emotional states. However, Colombina can sometimes be seen in a different dress with a pattern similar to Arlecchino's.

Fava, Antonio. “The Comic mask in the ‘Comedia Dell’arte’”, Illinois: Northwestern University press, 2007

__ @https://www.thoughtco.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-commedia-dellarte-4040385 __

__ @http://www.maskarts.com/commediadellarte.htm __ http://study.com/academy/lesson/commedia-dellarte-lesson-plan.html

@https://sites.google.com/site/italiancommedia/costumes-masks-and-makeup/masks-and-mask-making