Stańczyk (painting)
Encyclopedia
The Stańczyk is a painting by Jan Matejko
finished in 1862. The full title of the painting is Stańczyk w czasie balu na dworze królowej Bony wobec straconego Smoleńska (Stańczyk
during a ball at the court of queen Bona
in the face of the loss of Smolensk
). It is one of Matejko's most famous works and the one that rose him to fame.
was the court jester when Poland
was at the height of its political, economic and cultural power during the renaissance
, being ruled by king Sigismund I the Old
. He is shown sitting alone in a dark room, while a ball is in full swing in the neighbouring hall, hosted by the royal family. On the table lies a letter with the year 1514 announcing that Poland has lost Smolensk (now in Russia), causing Stańczyk's sorrow and reflection on his fatherland's fate. The name of the painting erroneously suggests that Poland was at the time ruled by queen Bona, when in fact on July 30th, 1514, when Smolensk was lost to Russia, Poland was ruled by king Sigmund the Old and his first wife queen Barbara Zápolya
.
Jan Matejko
Jan Matejko was a Polish painter known for paintings of notable historical Polish political and military events. His most famous works include oil on canvas paintings like Battle of Grunwald, paintings of numerous other battles and court scenes, and a gallery of Polish kings...
finished in 1862. The full title of the painting is Stańczyk w czasie balu na dworze królowej Bony wobec straconego Smoleńska (Stańczyk
Stanczyk
Stańczyk was the most famous court jester in Polish history. He was employed by three Polish kings: Alexander, Sigismund the Old and Sigismund Augustus.- Name, identity and historicity:...
during a ball at the court of queen Bona
Bona Sforza
Bona Sforza was a member of the powerful Milanese House of Sforza. In 1518, she became the second wife of Sigismund I the Old, the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, and became the Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania.She was the third child of Gian Galeazzo Sforza and his wife...
in the face of the loss of Smolensk
Smolensk
Smolensk is a city and the administrative center of Smolensk Oblast, Russia, located on the Dnieper River. Situated west-southwest of Moscow, this walled city was destroyed several times throughout its long history since it was on the invasion routes of both Napoleon and Hitler. Today, Smolensk...
). It is one of Matejko's most famous works and the one that rose him to fame.
Background
StańczykStanczyk
Stańczyk was the most famous court jester in Polish history. He was employed by three Polish kings: Alexander, Sigismund the Old and Sigismund Augustus.- Name, identity and historicity:...
was the court jester when Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
was at the height of its political, economic and cultural power during the renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
, being ruled by king Sigismund I the Old
Sigismund I the Old
Sigismund I of Poland , of the Jagiellon dynasty, reigned as King of Poland and also as the Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1506 until 1548...
. He is shown sitting alone in a dark room, while a ball is in full swing in the neighbouring hall, hosted by the royal family. On the table lies a letter with the year 1514 announcing that Poland has lost Smolensk (now in Russia), causing Stańczyk's sorrow and reflection on his fatherland's fate. The name of the painting erroneously suggests that Poland was at the time ruled by queen Bona, when in fact on July 30th, 1514, when Smolensk was lost to Russia, Poland was ruled by king Sigmund the Old and his first wife queen Barbara Zápolya
Barbara Zápolya
Barbara Zápolya was Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania as the first wife of king of Poland Sigismund I the Old....
.