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Stańczyk
Jan Matejko · Realism & Academic
- Artist
- Jan Matejko (1838–1893)
- Date
- 1862
- Dimensions
- 88 x 120 cm
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
- Location
- National Museum, Warsaw, Poland
Stańczyk shows the court jester of the Polish kings sitting slumped in an armchair in a dark room, his face full of anxiety and gloom, while a lavish ball takes place in the brightly lit hall behind him.
A closer look
A letter on the table beside him announces that the Russians have captured the city of Smolensk in 1514, a grave blow to Poland. While the court dances and celebrates, unaware or indifferent, only the jester, traditionally the one allowed to speak the truth, understands the danger to the country. His red costume and the cap with bells lie unused; he is no longer joking. Through the window a comet shines, an omen of misfortune. The young Matejko, only twenty-four, gave the jester his own features.
