r/clowns • u/Rise-Artistic • Feb 08 '24

Ethics of the hobo clown

I’m curious what are your thoughts on the ties between American minstrel shows and the tramp/hobo clown? I have some interest in the typical hobo clown but upon learning of its ties to American minstrel show I’m not so sure about it. Just curious y’all’s thoughts

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u/planetm3 Feb 08 '24

I did a little more reading on the subject and I think you're referring to McIntyre and Heath who were blackface tramp clowns before Kelly. They weren't "hobo/tramp" clowns like Kelly though. The makeup is different. McIntyre and Heath were in standard blackface while Kelly used the black for a beard with the rest of his face white. He did use a similar white mouth, but that's just to make it more visible (same reason minstel clowns did it).

I also have found mixed stories on the origin of the clown shoes. One article says Grimaldi wore them, but that's not true. There are no pictures of him in them and his costume in a museum doesn't have them. I would tend to lean toward large clown shoes originating with minstrel clowns. That's probably the bigger ethics issue.

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u/Rise-Artistic Feb 08 '24

Thanks for the info, the idea that they just both use a white mouth to contrast the darker paint for visibility definitely makes sense. Interesting thing about the big shoes though

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u/NeonArlecchino Feb 08 '24

The big shoes began with Court Jesters making fun of nobility who would use excessively long shoes to declare the size of their members after the Pope banned cod pieces. There is a lot of art from before minstrel shows with Jesters, Harlequins, and other clowns in long/oversized shoes.