#modfizz

Whiteface clowns:

By far one of the most iconic clown styles is the whiteface! It was originally designed by Joseph Grimaldi in the 1800′s. They’re often classified as “the most intelligent of the clowns”, and is more often than not what someone thinks of when they hear the word “clown.”

Auguste clowns:

Although very similar to whiteface clowns, augustes start with a flesh based color instead of white! Their expressions and performances also tend to be cartoonishly overexaggerated. One of the most iconic auguste clowns is Albert Fratellini, who introduced the signature red nose into clowning!

Pierrots:

Pierrots are french pantomimes, commonly portrayed as sad, romantic figures. The first Pierrot is usually traced back to Molière’s comedy play, Dom Juan. They tend to have muted color palettes, consisting of mainly black and white with overly baggy clothes and occasional hats!

Harlequins:

Often paired with the Pierrot, traditional Harlequins are seen as lighthearted comedic characters, typically defined by their diamond patterned outfits! They’re believed to have been introduced by Zan Ganassa in the late 16th century.

Jesters:

Court jesters or fools were popular in the medieval and Renaissance eras and were commonly hired by royalty to entertain them and their guests! They commonly wore bright colors and fun hats, and possessed a wide variety of skills!

Mimes:

Mimes are silent comedians, using hand gestures and occasional props to give the sense of an environment! The earliest mime is credited to the ancient greek performer, Pantomimus. The most traditional outfit often includes makeup similar to that of a pierrot, a black and white striped shirt, and gloves!

Hobo clowns:

Popularized by Emmett Kelly’s Weary Willie, hobo or tramp clowns are often depicted as disheveled, and down on their luck. Similar to the augute, they use a skintone as their base but their expressions tend to be more contained.

and finally (for now), Rodeo Clowns:

Rodeo clowns are, most commonly, performers who are meant to help protect fallen riders by distracting the bull and providing an alternate target while also entertaining the crowd! They originated in the early 1900′s, when cowboys were hired to entertain the crowds between events.