Whether you've recently become obsessed with American Horror Story: Freak Show, you live in Wasco, California, or you are still harnessing suspicions about that circus you were forced to endure as a child, there's a good chance you get goosebumps all over from the mere thought of a clown. The painted smiles, the oversized baby ensembles, the eagerness to please -- there is something infinitely unsettling about the painted creatures who are enlisted to amuse children while doing the exact opposite.
It's difficult to pinpoint exactly why so many people fear these jolly sources of entertainment. Perhaps it's the knowledge that beneath the caked white face makeup and rainbow tufts of hair is a stranger, playing pretend for some unknown motive. In the words of SUNY professor Andrew McConnell Stott, who's long written on the topic of clowns, "It becomes impossible to disassociate the character from the actor."
Whatever the reason, we're not afraid to admit that we're painfully afraid of clowns. And on this most spooky of seasons we've decided to compile the eeriest, strangest and most disturbing gaggle of clowns in art past and present. From Renoir in the 19th century to Cindy Sherman in 2011, the following artists all hold a special place in their hearts nightmares for this particular breed of prankster. Behold, 23 artistic clowns guaranteed to keep your stomach turning until Halloween night.
- This ghostly looking clown...
Károly Ferenczy, Clown, 1910 - This particularly pale clown...
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, The Clown, 1868 - This forlorn captain clown...
Sean Landers, Around the World Alone (The Holy Hermit) 2011 - This terrifying grandma clown...
Jillian Mayer, "I am Your Grandma," 2011 - This goopy clown dressed in black...
Allison Schulnik, Hobo Clown, 2010 - This clown lady getting all dressed up...
Marnie Weber, Giggle Of Clowns, 2013 - This clown in training...
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Le Clown, 1909 - This guy with the serious blue eyeshadow...
Marnie Weber, Giggle Of Clowns, 2013 - These two gossipy clowns...
Honoré Daumier, Crispin und Scapin, 1858-1860 - This low maintenance clown with a mohawk...
Nicolae Tonitza. Clown, 1925 - This troupe of horrifying faces...
Cindy Sherman. Untitled #425. 2004. Chromogenic color print, 70 3/4 x 89 3/4" (179.7 x 228 cm). Courtesy the artist and Metro Pictures, New York © 2011 Cindy Sherman - This glam rock clown...
Paul Cézanne, Harlequin, 1888-1890 - This clown with all the lipstick...
Hans Breinlinger, Clown mit Spiegel, 1948 - This lonely sailor clown in scarf...
Sean Landers, Around the World Alone (Venerable Seafarer - Dusk) 2011 - This guy with the human eyes...
Marnie Weber, Giggle Of Clowns, 2013 - This goopy clown in white...
Allison Schulnik, Hobo Clown, 2010 - This feral, doe-eyed baby clown...
Ron English, The Combrats - This trippy clown with clock and lobster...
Zebra Hans Thelen, Clown auf den Wolken Europas, 1998 - This clown from an a-Ha video...
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Clown, 1886/87 - These terrifying bald clowns...
Clown, Max Rüedi, 2011 - This Cindy Sherman-looking clown...
Untitled #132, 1984 © Cindy Sherman. Courtesy of the artist and Metro Pictures, New York - This large and in charge bald clown...
Marnie Weber, Giggle Of Clowns, 2013 - This nautical clown with sideburns...
Sean Landers, Around the World Alone (The Gloucesterman) 2011
Did we leave out your favorite? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
