New York, NY - Urban Archive

South of Union Square

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Clownin' Around

The features of the modern-day clown are said to come from multiple mediums: the British theater of Joseph Grimaldi, the early circus of Philip Astley, and Leoncavallo's opera Pagliacci. The clown is a derivative of the Ancient Greek and Roman Zanni, or "rustic fool." Initially created as an accompaniment to the witty Harlequin, the clown has evolved into the stand-alone character we are familiar with today.

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Urban Archive

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229 Livingston Street

229 Livingston Street

Santa Claus, Snow White, and a clown walk into a... department store? The characteristics of the clown familiar to us were created to entertain large audiences. Circus owner Philip Astley used clown acts as transitional segments between equestrian shows.

2

Ebbets Field

Ebbets Field

The "hobo" character was created in North America in the early 20th century. It draws inspiration from the "village idiot" or "rustic simpleton" stereotype of early clowns (known as Zanni) from Ancient Greek and Roman theater.

3

First Hebrew Day Nursery

First Hebrew Day Nursery

"Bozo" the clown gained popularity in the United States during the 1950s. McDonald's adopted a clown of their own modeled after Bozo: Ronald McDonald became the mascot of the franchise in the 1960s.

4

Brownsville Boys Club

Brownsville Boys Club

Bozo was a departure from the earlier dim-witted red clown, which was always been paired with a clever white clown. This character was standalone, which eventually gave rise to the "evil clown" trope.

5

Visiting Nurse Association

Visiting Nurse Association

Practices of hiring clowns to perform at children's birthday parties or visit hospitals developed in the 1960s. Clown-for-hire services took off in the 1980s with the founding of the"Clowns of America International," and the "World Clown Association" which provided hospitals with "Clown Care."

6

7015 Bay Parkway

7015 Bay Parkway

In non-western cultures, the role of the clown can be both spiritual and psychological. One practice known as "Canadian Clowning" borrows from both European and Native American clowning traditions. The performer leans into their own insecurities to create a character satirical of one's own naturally occurring impulses and emotions.

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