Stańczyk
Jan Matejko · 1862
Why it's great
A court jester in red sits alone and gloomy at a party while his king dances in the background. Stańczyk was a real Polish jester known for his wisdom. News has just arrived of a lost city, and he is the only one who sees the danger. The painting shows that the person who jokes may also be the one who worries the most.
Where to see it
📍 National Museum in WarsawWarsaw, Poland
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Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Jan Matejko was born in Kraków, Poland, and became the nation's great painter of history. He made huge canvases of Poland's glories and heartbreaks, at a time when Poland was no longer an independent country. He lived most of his life in Kraków, where he later directed the School of Fine Arts. He's a national hero for keeping Polish memory alive.
