Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online

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Mask, masque
(1,041 words)

1. Introduction

A mask (German Maske or Larve; French masque; from Italian maschera and Middle Latin masca and Arabic mas-chara, “mockery,” “joke,” “buffoon,” “masked figure”) is generally a sculptural image made of wood, clay, leather, cork, fabric, or plaster over canvas, designed to conceal or distort one's own identity. It is often complemented by a corresponding costume. A distinction is drawn between the face mask and the …

Cite this page
Fischer, Alexander Michael, “Mask, masque”, in: Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online, Editors of the English edition: Graeme Dunphy, Andrew Gow. Original German Edition: Enzyklopädie der Neuzeit. Im Auftrag des Kulturwissenschaftlichen Instituts (Essen) und in Verbindung mit den Fachherausgebern herausgegeben von Friedrich Jaeger. Copyright © J.B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH 2005–2012. Consulted online on 26 March 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2352-0272_emho_COM_023748>
First published online: 2015
First print edition: 20190801



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