Seen from the shore in front of the Ducal Palace an intermittent silhouette in the never absent winter mist. A new day is begun very early in the morning in Venice wearing a mask and blue, one of the main carnival colors, and setting off at the front of a gondola. From the 9-15 century Venice was the apple of Europe's eye. Venice was an important commercial and naval power. As its power and wealth ebbed away it tried to maintain its brilliance with carnival and entertainment.
Some masks have black shadows as if to explain that Venice is sinking.
Two centuries ago when carnival lasted 6 months every face behind the mask was young and beautiful or handsome, every heart was wild, all people were equal. All responsibilities were forgotten and work was dismissed as a waste of time in the drunken atmosphere of carnival that lasted for weeks, months. The least possible time was spent on necessary tasks. Everyone acted as they pleased behind the mask. No one had an identity.