A few years ago my dear friend Merisi invited me to the carnival in Venice. I had been to Venice before but never to the carnival, it was beyond belief. As tomorrow is Ash Wednesday I wanted to revisit the memory I cherish. Is it the same with you that some memories are so deeply rich and beautiful that you dare not go back to the actually place because you do not want to tarnish it in any way?
The carnival in Venice is/was romantic, beautiful, eye candy galore, breathtaking, divine, a force of beauty and creativity stirred magically in the center of San Marco Square.
I was in utter heaven.
Each year I think of going back, and then I do not, silly since it is so close.
No matter where my eyes fell there was something to behold, something to appreciate.
Every detail was a masterpiece.
It was hard to take photos:
1) There was much to absorb, and easily be overwhelmed by.
2) Tens of thousands of people gathered around, calmly admiring, it was intense. I waited and waited to take a photo without having anyone in the photo but the subject matter. It wasn't easy. Plus it was freezing cold.
Antique textiles.
Rich detail.
I preferred the 18th century style to the Venetian Masks.
My favorite spot was nearby the Cafe Florian.
Seven in the morning.
This man was about eighty years old.
His wore knickers, with fantastic bows at his knees!
His clothes wear vintage.
Love at first sight.
Dang those vintage things get me every time!
Intricate metal lace collar.
Each carnival this young girl still writes me.
I was appreciative of each photo, the look in the eye, the magic shared.
Honestly wherever you look there is something to admire.
The perfect setting.
Venice.
San Marcos Square.
With such a setting how could I expect anything less?
A simple purple net ribbon as a mask.
A perfect touch to all that glam.
The black feather head piece was about four feet tall.
Incredible.
Young, old, man, woman, Italian, French, American...
Posing in such style.
Thank you Merisi for the fondest of memories.
Carnival 2012
Amazing photos - merci bien.
Posted by: Linda R. | 17 February 2015 at 10:52 PM
I am so happy you revisited. Your photographs are just amazing and gorgeous. Loved everyone of them. How special to still hear from the young girl each year.
Posted by: Marilyn | 17 February 2015 at 11:19 PM
Thank you for sharing, the photos are so beautiful.
Posted by: Nancy H | 17 February 2015 at 11:31 PM
Great photos. Did either one of you wear a costume or mask?
Posted by: Diogenes | 17 February 2015 at 11:39 PM
Amazing!
Posted by: Roberta Manly | 18 February 2015 at 12:45 AM
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful photos. I have never been to Venice during Carnival, but have been there many times in the late Fall, early winter, and it is also a hauntingly beautiful city when empty. Thank you again, for sharing these amazing photos.
Posted by: Barbara Snow | 18 February 2015 at 01:10 AM
Wow. Just wow
Posted by: Debbie | 18 February 2015 at 01:42 AM
This is the sexiest thing I've seen in a long time! 50 Shades of Grey, ha, no comparison!!!
Posted by: Joanna | 18 February 2015 at 02:38 AM
I remember those posts. Thanks for sharing your breathtaking photos again. They are stunning!
Posted by: Momof5 | 18 February 2015 at 06:20 AM
i look forward to your post each evening. i am rarely if ever disappointed by your wit and photos and take on your life.
tonight, i am ever so grateful for taking me to a place i only dream of. of course, i have read about carnevale in venice.
your pictures capture the magic and beauty and especially the mystic that reigns. you outdid yourself today.. thank you corey; i will dream of the fantasy of one day being there to witness it myself.
Posted by: Lana Kloch | 18 February 2015 at 07:07 AM
Oh Corey, It was amazing to see these again, and how you helped me with advice when we went to Carnevale for 12 wonderful days.
It is a stunning experience, especially if you join the Silent Gondola parade where all the Palazzo's are lit only by candles down the Grand Canal from the Rialto to Salute where the death of Carnevale takes place by the sympbolic burning of a paper animal usually. It was a truly haunting memorable, freezing experience but one you will never forget.
Just go to Carnevale it is an experience you will never forget.
Posted by: Rosemary Wilmot | 18 February 2015 at 07:40 AM
I, the lucky viewer in beholding such magnificence! Wondrous detail, decadent embellishment, lush imagination with Victorian Flair. OH may I be blessed with a rich man in my future who should like to take me there!! Feel free to contact me..!
Posted by: Patti L | 18 February 2015 at 08:53 AM
Corey, these photos are so lovely they make my heart ache! Such beauty is almost painful to look at - I feel like Bernini's St. Theresa in Ecstasy...
Thank you so much for sharing these visions.
Posted by: Robin | 18 February 2015 at 02:39 PM
You much cherish these photos, Corey. They are just spectacular and I will never tire of looking at them. How I would love to be in Venice for that!
Posted by: Eileen | 18 February 2015 at 03:44 PM
Now these people do Carnival right - with elegance and grandeur!
Posted by: Cheryl in Wisconsin | 18 February 2015 at 03:45 PM
YOU Need to do a TABLE TOP PICTURE BOOK!SO< PLEASE tell me is MERISI ITALIAN?I recently subscribed to her BLOG about VIENNA but there have been a few photos of FLORENCE and ITALIAN coffee's!!!!!!
Posted by: La Contessa | 18 February 2015 at 04:34 PM
So much eye candy. I'm feeling hyperglycemic.
Posted by: Francabollo | 18 February 2015 at 06:30 PM
Wow! These photos are amazing and the fabrics are just incredible! Thank you so very much for sharing. I loved it all!
Posted by: Robin | 18 February 2015 at 06:32 PM
Oh Corey….Thank you so much for these wonderful memories! We were there for Carnival in 2012 too. I felt transported to another world then and now again with your gorgeous photos! And I was thinking of you this morning when a commercial for a popular American tv show, "Blackish" had a father up in arms with his daughter's French boyfriend's "French Swimming Panties"! I almost fell off the treadmill!
Posted by: Kathleen Botsford | 18 February 2015 at 06:37 PM
How wondrously amazing, Corey! The masks are fascinating but the costumes, the fabrics and layers of color and texture are simply incredible! Thank you so much!
Posted by: Dori | 18 February 2015 at 08:05 PM
Oh, my..I've never heard of this..just incredible! Each photo you captured is so fantastic. I keep hearing the song & imagery of the masquerade scene from "the phantom of the opera"..what an amazing experience that must be.
Posted by: tammyCA | 18 February 2015 at 11:25 PM
Well that was fun. I wanted to comment on a few, but there were so marvelously many that I gave up. Such textures! Such interesting everything. Thanks for posting these again.
Smart lady, putting your mark all over them as no doubt people will want to steal them.
Posted by: Rebecca from the pacific northwest | 19 February 2015 at 02:01 AM
loved seeing these again and reliving it. Want. To. Be. There!
Posted by: Mardog | 19 February 2015 at 03:22 AM
Love this & the memory of reading your post the first time! xo
Posted by: Debra | 19 February 2015 at 03:24 AM
These pictures are stunning. You definitely could be a fashion photographer!
Posted by: Terri | 19 February 2015 at 05:25 AM
No neither of us were in costume or mask. It is hard enough taking a photo when it is cold, let alone in a costume. Though I would love to go again and be in costume. About a third of the people gathered are in costume, the other million are not.
Posted by: French la Vie | 19 February 2015 at 01:06 PM
Thanks! I agree. Though I haven't seen 50 shades.
Posted by: French la Vie | 19 February 2015 at 01:07 PM
Thank you. You described it well.
Posted by: French la Vie | 19 February 2015 at 01:08 PM
No Merisi is not Italian by birth, but by spirit she is. And her pasta!!!
Posted by: French la Vie | 19 February 2015 at 01:09 PM
lol, imagine being there. I had to take a break each day because I was overloaded... literally could not "see" anymore.
Posted by: French la Vie | 19 February 2015 at 01:10 PM
lol!! Oh I wish I could have seen that! I would have linked it to the post.
Posted by: French la Vie | 19 February 2015 at 01:11 PM
...Hence that is why I post photos with my iphone now.
Posted by: French la Vie | 19 February 2015 at 01:12 PM
I was in Venice last month, one of many visits, but never during the Carnival. Thanks for bringing me there at this magic time....
Posted by: Gracie | 20 February 2015 at 01:07 PM
These photos are out of this world fantastic, Corey. Thanks for replaying them.
Posted by: Sue tinker | 28 February 2015 at 04:07 PM