The court jester Stańczyk slumps alone in a dark room while a royal ball goes on in the bright hall behind him. A letter on the table reports the loss of Smolensk to Muscovy, and only the fool grasps what it means. Jan Matejko, aged 24, gave the jester his own face, and the painting made his name.
Look closer
Through the open window a comet hangs near the dark outline of Wawel Cathedral, an omen of misfortune. The jester's bauble lies discarded on the floor.
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