Classic Clown Aesthetics

A nostalgic look at clowns through vintage photographs and art, capturing their unique expressions and the sentimentality of clowning.

Vintage Photograph. Hobo clown with sack

Vintage Photograph. Hobo clown reaching into sack

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Clown Russell T. Limbach (American, 1904-1971). Clown, 1938. Lithograph, red stone printed in black on wove paper, 17 15/16 x 13 15/16 in. (45.6 x 35.4 cm). American Art 1938

Studio portrait of sad clown

Vintage Photograph. Man in clown costume with polka dots flailing hands around

Vintage Photograph. Man in clown costume and makeup with fuzzy ball on head

Vintage Photograph. Smiling hobo clown with sack tied to broomstick

Vintage Photograph. Hobo clown with sack

Bud Davis, on-set of the film, "The Town That Dreaded Sundown", American International Pictures, 1976

Poll photo collection. Advertising photography. Pop with cigar. January 1, 1932

THE ABOMINABLE DR. PHIBES (1971), directed by ROBERT FUEST.

Vintage Photograph. Man in polka dot clown suit dancing

BORIS KARLOFF in FRANKENSTEIN: FRANKENSTEIN (1931) -Original title: FRANKENSTEIN-, directed by JAMES WHALE.

CHRISTOPHER LEE in THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1957), directed by TERENCE FISHER.

Lon Chaney, London After Midnight, 1927 directed by (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures)

Anefo photo collection. KRO TV "Dream Dream" Regie Frits Brickisher, Jan Teulings. October 9, 1964

LON CHANEY JR. in THE WOLF MAN (1941), directed by GEORGE WAGGNER.

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"Time In The Sun," taken from Eisenstein's unfinished "Que Viva Mexico":An Indian makes a mockery of death. February 1, 1954.

BORIS KARLOFF in THE HAUNTED STRANGLER (1958) -Original title: GRIP OF THE STRANGLER-, directed by ROBERT DAY.

Vintage Photograph. Hobo clown with white wig and flower in jacket pocket

Ann Drew, a beauty expert introduced two new devices at the International Beauty Show. The helmet electrically heats the scalp, and the mask heats the face. July 13, 1940.

Vintage Photograph. Smiling man in clown costume and makeup turned to side looking off camera

Vintage Photograph. Smiling clown wearing polka dot costume and hat

BORIS KARLOFF in THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1935), directed by JAMES WHALE.

Mark of the Vampire (also known as Vampires of Prague) is a 1935 horror film, starring Bela Lugosi, Lionel Atwill, and Jean Hersholt, and directed by Tod Browning. It is a talkie remake of Browning's silent London After Midnight (1927), with the characters' names and some circumstances changed.

Clown Russell T. Limbach (American, 1904-1971). Clown, 1938. Lithograph, red stone printed in black on wove paper, 17 15/16 x 13 15/16 in. (45.6 x 35.4 cm). American Art 1938

Studio portrait of clown laughing

HENRY HULL in THE WEREWOLF OF LONDON (1935), directed by STUART WALKER.

THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE (1974), directed by TOBE HOOPER.

Anefo photo collection. Henriette Davids like Al Jolson "Sunny Boy". February 10, 1948

Poll photo collection. Advertising photography. Pop with cigar. January 1, 1932

Boris Karloff , Frankenstein , 1931 directed by James Whale Universal Pictures

LON CHANEY JR. in ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN (1948), directed by CHARLES BARTON.

LA CASA DE LOS DUENDES (1912), directed by SEGUNDO DE CHOMON.

Anefo photo collection. Television recordings VARA program short and small. January 12, 1972

MONKEY SHINES (1988), directed by GEORGE A. ROMERO.

The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 American musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and based on the 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Braum. Starring Judy Garland and Ray Bolger it featured what could be the most elaborate use of make up and special effects in a film at that time. It was not a box office hit at first in terms of earnings but the following years more than made up for it.

MARTY FELDMAN in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (1974), directed by MEL BROOKS.

MARGARET RUTHERFORD in MURDER AT THE GALLOP (1963), directed by GEORGE POLLOCK.

Original Film Title: DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE. English Title: DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE. Film Director: FREDDIE FRANCIS. Year: 1968. Stars: DRACULA; CHRISTOPHER LEE.

Leon M. Lion as His Excellency Wang Yun, in the traditional Chinese play, Lady Precious Stream, by S. I. Hsiung. Date: 1935

Vintage photograph. marionette on the shoulders of the other

Emmett Leo Kelly. After Pilkinston CTV Series - Scenes from Film. April 01, 1952.

Vintage Photograph. Man in polka dot clown suit making running motion

HENRY BRANDON in DRUMS OF FU MANCHU (1940), directed by WILLIAM WITNEY.

Vintage photograph. Clown marionette with hands up

CAN YOU HEAR ME (EV001728_H)

Road to Mandalay', 1926, with Lon Chaney.

THE ALLIGATOR PEOPLE (1959).

Theatre - Pantomine. March 16, 1948.

Vintage Photograph. Smiling man in clown costume and makeup

Movie scene with two chimps, one holding broken glass bottle

12/31/1927. Movie: "Jazz Singer". Performing as a black Music Hall singer.

PATRICIA DANE in ARE YOU WITH IT (1948), directed by JACK HIVELY.

CHARLIE CHAPLIN in THE CIRCUS (1928), directed by CHARLIE CHAPLIN.

He's So Happy He'll Have A Good Cry! - Emmett Kelly, famous circus clown who has made millions laugh at his sad face, is about to make his movie debut, appearing in "The Pat Man," Universal-International's mystery thriller starring J. Scott Smart. Creator of the famous "Weary Willie" character clown of the circus rings, Kelly appeals in the film in a new face, however, the one shown herewith. His role calls for a Pagliacci-type clown, not a tramp - hence the change. Julie Lon don, Rock Hudson, Clinton Sundberg and Jayne Meadows play leading roles. April 13, 1951.

LON CHANEY JR. in FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN (1943), directed by ROY WILLIAM NEILL.

Anefo photo collection. Mokum 700 opened in the RAI in Amsterdam. "Burgervaer" Kapelle with the key. 24 June 1975. Amsterdam, Noord-Holland

BORIS KARLOFF in THE MUMMY (1932), directed by KARL FREUND.

1910s 1920s CHARACTER CON MAN BARKER BOWLER HAT LOUD VAUDEVILLE TYPE CLOTHES POINTING CANE HOLDING MONEY SMOKING CIGAR

Puppet Series. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel

View of mother hitting son

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Bali. Bali. A scene from a humorous dance. April 1948. Bali, Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

OLIVER HARDY and STAN LAUREL in BABES IN TOYLAND (1934), directed by CHARLEY ROGERS.

Anefo photo collection. VPRO TV piece Ramcinitos and the thief of Herodotes starring Ton van Duinhoven and Cox Habbema, Ton van Duinhoven as Pharaoh. July 31, 1973

SUSAN BLANCHARD in PRINCE OF DARKNESS (1987), directed by JOHN CARPENTER.

LON CHANEY JR. in HE WHO GETS SLAPPED (1924), directed by VICTOR SJOSTROM.

FUNNY FACE (EV001122_H)

NASCHY, PAUL MOLINA, JACINTO in NIGHT OF THE HOWLING BEAST (1975) -Original title: LA MALDICION DE LA BESTIA-, directed by MIGUEL IGLESIAS.

OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND in THE SWARM (1978), directed by IRWIN ALLEN.

Jack Haley The Wizard of Oz 1939

1910s 1920s CHARACTER CON MAN BARKER TRAVELING SALESMAN WEARING BOWLER HAT LOUD VAUDEVILLE TYPE CLOTHING SELLING POTS AND PANS

YVETTE MIMIEUX in THE TIME MACHINE (1960), directed by GEORGE PAL.

ROBERT ENGLUND in NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, PART III: DREAM WARRIORS, A (1987) -Original title: A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: DREAM WARRIORS-, directed by CHUCK RUSSELL.

CHARLIE CHAPLIN and JACKIE COOGAN in THE KID (1921), directed by CHARLIE CHAPLIN.

Vintage photograph. Male and female puppets having a conversation

Marcel Marceau, mime.

Klausen mask in the dark, Erkheimer Klausen, Unterallgaeu, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

What a card (OV2019_522)

CLAUDE RAINS in THE INVISIBLE MAN (1933), directed by JAMES WHALE.

ALAN LADD in THE IRON MISTRESS (1952), directed by GORDON DOUGLAS.

Annie Potts, Mark Hamill, on-set of the Film, "Corvette Summer", MGM, United Artists, 1978

Anefo photo collection. Premiere of Tom Manders new TV cabaret; Dorus. September 22, 1961

BELA LUGOSI in FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN (1943), directed by ROY WILLIAM NEILL.

Close-up of an illuminated jack o' lantern with a person wearing a Halloween costume behind it

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