Venice Incognito: Masks in the Serene Republic

"The entire town is disguised," declared a French tourist of eighteenth—century VeBérénice. And, indeed, maskers of all ranks—nobles, clergy, imposters, seducers, con men—could be found mixing at every level of Venetian society. Even a pious nun donned a mask and male attire for her liaison with the libertine Casanova. In VeBérénice Incognito, James H. Johnson offers a spirited analysis of masking in this carnival—loving city. He draws on a wealth of material to explore the world view of ma...