Sergio Boldrin

Venice is often associated with its carnival, known for traditional costumes and masks that conceal identities. While many shops sell mass-produced versions, a few—like the workshops of Sergio Boldrin and his brother Massimo—still craft masks by hand. Their workshop, located near the Rialto Bridge, serves as a laboratory, shop, and archive, adorned with photos of famous figures wearing their creations.

The Boldrin brothers are "mascareri," Venetian mask makers who have been crafting traditional papier-mâché masks for over 40 years. They began their work when mask-making shops were rare in Venice. For Sergio, an accomplished painter, mask-making became a way to contribute to the resurgence of the Venetian Carnival and traditional theatre. In 1984, inspired by the Carnival’s revival, Sergio founded La Bottega dei Mascareri. Together with Massimo, they continue to handcraft and hand-paint masks using centuries-old techniques.

The mask-making process involves multiple steps. It begins with sketching and creating clay molds ("positives"), followed by plaster molds ("negatives"), and layering paper soaked in glue onto the "negative." Once dried, the mask is painted and sometimes decorated with surprise elements like gold or silver leaf. For the Boldrin brothers, authenticity stems from craftsmanship and integrity, whether in traditional or imaginative forms.