Commedia masks

Commedia masks are traditional, handcrafted disguises used by performers in Commedia dell’Arte, a form of improvisational theater from Italy. Each mask represents a specific character type, with exaggerated features and expressions that convey personality traits and social roles. These masks help actors quickly identify their characters and communicate their functions to the audience, often emphasizing traits like greed, foolishness, or authority. They are essential tools for storytelling, allowing actors to portray universal archetypes with physicality and gesture, while also adding a layer of humor and visual clarity to the performances.