Use of Venetian masks Historians, travel guide authors, novelists, and merchants of Venetian masks have noted that these have a long history of being worn during promiscuous activities. Authors Tim Kreider and Thomas Nelson have linked the film's usage of these to Venice's reputation as a center of both eroticism and mercantilism. Nelson notes that the sex ritual combines elements of Venetian Carnival and Catholic rites, in particular, the character of "Red Cloak" who simultaneously serves as Grand Inquisitor and King of Carnival. As such, Nelson argues that the sex ritual is a symbolic mirror of the darker truth behind the façade of Victor Ziegler's earlier Christmas party. Carolin Ruwe, in her book Symbols in Stanley Kubrick's Movie 'Eyes Wide Shut', argues that the mask is the prime symbol of the film. Its symbolic meaning is represented through its connection to the characters in the film; as Tim Kreider points out, this can be seen through the masks in the prostitute's apartment and her being renamed as "Domino" in the film, which is a type of Venetian Mask. Unused early poster designs for the film by Kubrick's daughter Katharina used the motif of Venetian masks, but were rejected by the studio because they obscured the faces of the film's two stars.
use of venetian masks historians travel guide authors novelists and merchants of venetian masks have noted that these have a long history of being worn during promiscuous activities authors tim kreider and thomas nelson have linked the film's usage of these to venice's reputation as a center of both eroticism and mercantilism nelson notes that the sex ritual combines elements of venetian carnival and catholic rites in particular the character of "red cloak" who simultaneously serves as grand inquisitor and king of carnival as such nelson argues that the sex ritual is a symbolic mirror of the darker truth behind the façade of victor ziegler's earlier christmas party carolin ruwe in her book symbols in stanley kubrick's movie 'eyes wide shut' argues that the mask is the prime symbol of the film its symbolic meaning is represented through its connection to the characters in the film; as tim kreider points out this can be seen through the masks in the prostitute's apartment and her being renamed as "domino" in the film which is a type of venetian mask unused early poster designs for the film by kubrick's daughter katharina used the motif of venetian masks but were rejected by the studio because they obscured the faces of the film's two stars