Clown #37 "Joey", acrylic on paper,
2 ½” x 3 ½” (64 x 89 mm), 2018
SOLD
Clown #37 is a homage to the late king of clowns, Joseph Grimaldi, (1778-1837), London, England. I am reading his memoirs nowadays, it's a good read to get lots of inspiration. The book was edited by famous English writer Charles Dickens.
Grimaldi came from a family of dancers and entertainers and made his debut as a dancer at age four. For a number of years he appeared at two theatres nightly, running from one to the other. In 1806 he joined Covent Garden Theatre, where, in the pantomime Harlequin Mother Goose, he enjoyed his greatest success. In this production he created a new type of clown combining rogue and simpleton, criminal and innocent dupe in one character, a role subsequently adopted by many other English clowns. His whiteface makeup and impudent thievery became the norm for all pantomime clowns (“Joeys”) who came after.
Picture Of Joseph Grimaldi As Clown Joey
Grimaldi is remembered today in an annual memorial service on the first Sunday in February at Holy Trinity Church in Hackney, London. The service, which has been held since the 1940s, attracts hundreds of clown performers from all over the world who attend the service in full clown costume.
From the memorial service at Holy Trinity Church
work in progress
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