La dodicesima Maria
The 12 Marie 2026 in the magnificent Chapter Hall of the Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista in Venice.
The association Venezia è… (history, art, culture), in collaboration with Atelier Pietro Longhi and the Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista, has conceived the project “The Twelfth Maria”—a photography competition that brings together Venice’s oldest tradition, a hall that narrates the history of the Serenissima from the Middle Ages to today, the costumes of Atelier Pietro Longhi, and the radiant spirit of the Marie of the 2026 Carnival.
The 12 Marie of the 2026 Carnival will be the protagonists of a unique experience, immersed in a magical atmosphere where past and present intertwine.
A distinctive and evocative event: the 12 Marie will wear the costumes of the Maria of the Year from the last 12 editions. Each is inspired by a different theme and is therefore unique—artistic creations, meticulously crafted in every detail. Delicate fabrics, precious trimmings, jewels, and hairstyles evoke distant and fantastical worlds, united by refined and often bold color choices.
As part of the Venice Carnival celebrations, a photography competition open to all photography enthusiasts—using cameras only, not mobile phones. Each artist is invited to develop an idea around the Feast of the Marie with an unconventional vision that must surprise, move, astonish, and enchant in this extraordinary Venice Carnival: “OLYMPUS – At the Origins of the Game.”
RULES
- Participation in the competition is completely free of charge and open to all photography enthusiasts.
PHOTOS MAY NOT BE TAKEN WITH MOBILE PHONES OR TABLETS. - Participation must be preceded by completion of the entry form, attached and to be sent to: [email protected].
The form can also be downloaded from festadellemarie.com. - SUBJECT and LOCATION:
With the theme “The Twelfth Maria”, participants may photograph the 12 Marie of the 2026 Carnival wearing the gowns used for the proclamation of the Maria of the Year from the past 12 editions, created by Atelier Pietro Longhi, in the Chapter Hall of the Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista in Venice. - Photographers will be able to capture the 12 Marie immersed in art and beauty, seizing the most evocative moments according to their imagination and creativity.
- Each participant must submit a photo project consisting of 3 images, including at least one portrait, with “The Twelfth Maria” as the subject.
- Photographs in JPEG format must be sent by email to [email protected].
Image files must be named as follows: name+surname+number.jpeg (e.g. giorgiorossi2.jpg). - Participants are asked to send the three photographs in a single email, including the images and, if deemed necessary, a brief description.
- High resolution is not required (maximum 3 MB per photo); full-resolution images may be requested later if needed.
- The three photos submitted by each photographer, together with the author’s name and subject, may be published on all social channels of Venezia È…, Atelier Pietro Longhi, and Carnevale di Venezia – Official Site.
- All submitted works will remain at the disposal of the organization. The organization reserves the sole and unquestionable right to choose which works to exhibit or publish on the websites veneziae.com, www.atelierpietrolonghi.com and Carnevale di Venezia Official Site
- A post-Carnival exhibition will be organized using the submitted photographs, framed in the 30 × 40 cm format. The work judged best by a qualified jury, appointed by the organization for the occasion, will be awarded.
- Images printed for the exhibition must be in the 30 × 40 cm format to ensure uniformity of display.
- In accordance with Italian Law 196/03, participation in the competition implies the author’s consent to the processing—by electronic means or otherwise—of personal data and their use by the Organization for purposes related to the competition.
- In the case of participation by minors, the entry form signed by a parent or legal guardian must be sent to [email protected] by February 8, 2026.
- The usage rights of the submitted photographs are granted free of charge to the Association Venezia è… / storia arte cultura, Venice, Santa Croce 328, including all economic rights deriving directly and/or indirectly from their use and commercialization, in any form or manner.
- Participation in this competition implies full and unconditional acceptance of these rules.
- Photographers who have not submitted the entry form will not be allowed to participate.
