Stańczyk
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Where to see it
National Museum in Warsaw, Warsaw
About the painting
Stańczyk (Full title: Stańczyk during a ball at the court of Queen Bona in the face of the loss of Smolensk, Polish: Stańczyk w czasie balu na dworze królowej Bony wobec straconego Smoleńska) is a painting by Jan Matejko finished in 1862. This painting was acquired by the National Museum in Warsaw in 1924. During World War II it was looted by the Nazis, but later seized by the Soviet Union and returned to Poland around 1956.
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Stańczyk has been described by the Warsaw National Museum as one of the most recognizable paintings in its collection, and is a flagship painting for the "Collection of Polish paintings prior to 1914". Its primary component is the contrast between the solemn Stańczyk (a historical Polish court jester and the painting's namesake) and the lively ball in the background. The painting presents Stańczyk with a sense of isolation and hopelessness, which reflects the political situation of Poland during the 19th century.
Stańczyk remains an important symbol of Polish culture. Stańczyk embodied satire to criticize social problems while also offering wisdom to the common people. His character is remembered and is a proud part of Polish national character. The painting has created an image of Stańczyk that has become iconic and widely recognized in Poland.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Image: Jan Matejko; Wikimedia Commons · public domain