Q: I have been busy today doing a mini masks photo-shoot for you. I am not a professional photographer I hope you don’t mind and if you would like me to retake any pictures of certain masks just ask. I am probably only able to send you a few at a time so get ready for your inbox to be full. Kathleen, 895
A: I decided to share this mask with our visitors because it is not something we see often. Brighella is a male character from the Commedia dell’arte, which is a form of theater with masked actors. It began in Italy in the 16th century and was responsible for the advent of the improvised performances based on sketches or scenarios. It is still performed in Italy and the rest of Europe. These dramatic masks are also used for Lenten and other celebrations. They are very creative and have had an important influence on modern European artists such as Picasso. It is signed S. Buehler, 1996, which is a German name. But Buehler could be Swiss, Northern Italian or Austrian. A
