MATEJKO, Jan
(b. 1838, Kraków, d. 1893, Kraków)

Stañczyk

1862
Oil on canvas, 88 x 120 cm
Muzeum Narodowe, Warsaw

The painting represents Stañczyk, the court jester, during a ball at the court of Queen Bona after the loss of Smolensk. He is the only person at a royal ball who is troubled by the news that the Russians have captured Smolensk.