Jan Matejko - Stańczyk

Jan Mateyko, a Polish painter famous for his historical depictions such as the Battle of Grunwald, tried to awaken the patriotic spirit of his people with his works. In this famous painting, Stanczyk, the court jester of King Sigismund I, symbolizes,the national conscience: sitting desolately on a chair, he seems to sense the tragic end of the wars against Moscow. The painting made Stańczyk one of the most legendary and popular figures in Polish culture. © Collection of the National Museum in Warsaw