A Look at Tragic Clown Costume Moments in History
The history of clown costumes, meant for laughter, also hides tales of sorrow. From ancient Rome’s “Maccus,” whose performances mocked power and led to his persecution, to medieval jesters like Triboulet facing royal court politics, these outfits have borne witness to tragedy. Emmett Kelly in the 19th century embodied a sad-comedy duality, performing through personal grief. The image of clowns was darkly distorted during WWII propaganda against Jews, leading to atrocities. Modern times saw Pennywise from “It” trigger coulrophobia. Thus, beneath the joyful exterior lies a complex legacy of humor and heartache.