I ran across this 1928 circus poster on an blog called Pictorial Arts. Whoa. And if you're not already scared of clowns, that should do the trick. Apparently coulrophia (fear of clowns) is one of the most common phobias. Not much research has been done and it's unknown just how widespread coulrophia is. But when they asked 250 children in British hospitals, all of them had a fear or dislike of clowns.
Modern circus clowns evolved from the jester. In ancient courts jesters were regarded as pets or mascots, and had the freedom to criticize their masters or guests. They also represent the side of us that is not neat or pretty or socially acceptable. In the way, clowns hold up a exaggerated mirror to our inner selves. Scary?
Jester
William Merritt Chase
William Sommers, Henry VIII's jester
Stanczyk During a Ball at the Court of Queen Bona
Jan Matejko
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