A jester, also known as joker, court jester, or fool, was a member of the household of a nobleman or a monarch kept to entertain guests at the royal court. Jesters were also travelling performers who entertained common folk at fairs and town markets, and the discipline continues into the modern day, where jesters perform at historical-themed events. Jester-like figures were common throughout the world, including Ancient Rome, China, Persia, and the Aztec Empire.
During the post-classical and Renaissance eras, jesters are often thought to have worn brightly coloured clothes and eccentric hats in a motley pattern. Jesters entertained with a wide variety of skills: principal among them were song, music, and storytelling, but many also employed acrobatics, juggling, telling jokes (such as puns...
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"The Court Jester" (4540421737).jpg
Ffotograffydd/Photographer: P. B. Abery (1877?-1948) & Wallace Jones
Dyddiad/Date: 11th August 1...
Anonymous German, 16th century - Large Head of a Jester - Google Art Project.jpg
Anthonis van Dyck 013.jpg
COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Hofnar van de Soesoehoenan die meedanst in de 'Garebeg Moeloed' optocht Java TMnr 10003339.jpg
Repronegatief. Hofnar van de Soesoehoenan, die meedanst in de 'Garebeg Moeloed' optocht, Java
Clown chili peppers.jpg
A clown participating in a Memorial Day parade, 2004, by Rick Dikeman
Fool or jester playing a dog shaped bagpipe, image by Petrus Gilberti, from Bible Historiale (Royal 15 D11 folio 262).jpg
Fool or jester playing a dog shaped bagpipe, image by Petrus Gilberti, from Bible Historiale (Royal ...
Heinrich Vogtherr d. J. Schalksnarr.JPG
Der Schalksnarr
Hungarian female jester on the playing card of the Vienna court.jpg
Jean Fouquet, Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Gemäldegalerie - Der ferraresische Hofnarr Gonella - GG 1840 - Kunsthistorisches Museum.jpg
Jester-Costume.jpg
Man dressed as a jester, with a fool's cap, motley and white tights.
Jester - Lancelot.JPG
Шут. Фрагмент миниатюры "Gaharié recevant le chapel" из "Романа о Ланселоте" (Français 112 (1), fol....
Jester 20071028 Manga Expo.jpg
A jester at Manga Expo 2007 (Paris, France)
Jester Knight Christoph by Hans Wertinger (1515, Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid).jpg
Hans Wertinger was a German painter active in the first third of the 16th century. His work evolved...
Jester Moment - geograph.org.uk - 5279310.jpg
Jester Moment
Jester on carnival float (cropped).jpg
Foto
John Dawson Watson - Friends in Council.jpg
A fool or jester sits on a log in costume with coxcomb and ears on his cap; he addresses his fools h...
Laughing Fool.jpg
Laughing Fool MET DP820707.jpg
Print; Prints
Olina Ventsel (Jester-doll).jpg
Jester-doll made by Olina Ventsel (1938-2007)
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