Repousse Masks

• REPOUSSAGE: A French word that refers to the craft of embossing metal from
the back to create a low relief, 3-d sculpture.
• COUNTER REPOUSSE: After first using repousse to indent and emboss a
metal surface, counter repousse is the technique of flipping the metal over and
working on defining the texture further.
Carnival masks have been part of the
Venetian Carnival in Italy, and the
Mardi Gras celebrations in New
Orleans, Louisiana for many years.
People wear the masks as part of a
costume that disguises their identity,
allowing them to participate in acts
they would not normally consider.
• How are carnival masks like African Masks?
• How are they different?
The decoration of your Repousse Mask can mirror that of the Carnival Masks. You may
use bright colors and various adornments to embellish your creation. Consider how the
colors you are choosing work together, and what you will add to create contrast in
textures. (Feathers, beads, pipe cleaners, ribbons, yarn, etc.) Think about how your
embellishments relate back to the emotion or expression of your mask!!
Even though your actual mask is symmetrical, your adornments and embellishments may
be asymmetrical.
Asymmetry is: _______________________________________________.
Created by Sophie Wagner-Marx