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“A fire broke out backstage in a theatre. The clown came out to warn the public; they thought it was a joke and applauded. He repeated it; the acclaim was even greater." - Soren Kierkegaard

I also love the little detail of the carpet, the fact that it's "wrinkled" as if the jester let his whole weight fall to the chair in despair.

There's a hopelessness in this painting that makes my heart hurt. To my understanding, jesters often had the job of breaking bad news to their lord. The partiers dance, oblivious to what has happened, and he has to go in there and shatter that illusion. He has to go in there and say what no-one wants to hear, at the time they least want to hear it.

Knowing the background history of the painting makes me realize that the painter intended this painting for a very specific audience that I’m not a part of.

"A story is told that in 1806 a man goes to visit a doctor who is acclaimed for his ability to treat melancholia. “I can’t eat, I can’t sleep,” says the man. “I feel constantly miserable. Please help me, doctor.” “Laughter is the best medicine, my friend,” says the doctor. “Take yourself off to Covent Garden Theatre* where you will find The Great Grimaldi performing in Harlequin and Mother Goose; or the Golden Egg. It is exquisitely funny and will cure you of all your ills without any pills or potions from my cabinet.” The man looks at the doctor for a moment. “Ah,” he says. “That won’t help.” “Why not, sir?” The man shrugs. “I am Grimaldi.”

I can tell you one thing polish people really appreciate is when someone takes the time to actually learn how to properly pronounce polish words. good job.

For me, Stanczyk is one of the darkest paintings ever produced as it brings home the dark reality of life. Many pieces of art such as Goya's, while easily considered dark, are surreal and things we cannot comprehend, but something we all face over life is the feeling of crippling loneliness which is captured to perfection by Matejko in said piece. Man's own mind is the most terrifying thing there is, at least as far as I'm concerned.

In my understanding this painting has two main themes: one historical, which shows how low has Poland fell (if the jester is the only one remaining who cares about the realm) and the second one, purely emotional, which shows a man who just realized that there's nothing more he can do to protect something he loves, there's only downfall ahead despite the fact that what he loves could be easily saved but not by himself alone.

The historical context made it more relatable to me. The country is going into total catastrophe and the ruling class is decadent. The one person who cares is not in any position to fix it. I think such a "we're all doomed thanks to the rulers" perspective is very relatable to everyone, not just Poland.

it's the look on his face that gets me. i know that look, complete emptiness, hollow, disheveled, feeling like everything is crumbling around him, like he just *isnt there* , and his posture shows he's metaphorically and physically slumping and sinking deeper and deeper into this emptiness. and the fact that it's somebody who makes other laugh makes it so its something a lot of people can relate to.

A fun(?) fact: the Wawel castle in the background is a really important piece of Polish culture, there are coffins of kings and poets such as Mickiewicz in its basement. I love that detail, because, knowing the historical context, Matejko showed us: not only the letter is about a 'fall of the empire', not only the commet, also the basement of Wawel awaiting for anoher fallen king

3:50 Functionally, the specific cause of Stanczyk's sadness is unknown to the modern viewer. Most people today will not know the historical references on sight. But, the relationship between the central figure and the other figures (the comet, the revelers) remains relevant beyond the original context. The numbers are larger, technology has advanced, and the faces and settings have changed, but I promise you there are Stanczyks and mindless revelers here today.

This can also be interpreted as: "How can I bring up the bad news without killing the mood?"

I think this is the only piece of art in which I ever connected to so deeply,

This is the first and only painting that I have ever connected with. Not only that, but I connect with it on both a historical and personal level and I keep coming back to it over the years. I can feel his dispair, his emptiness, his dissapointment, his worry, his hopelessness. I can understand all of it and I can feel it with him. This painting will always hold a special place in my heart.

as a polish person, I was more thrilled about you saying the titles of the paintings and saying Jan Matejko really good than on the painting itself. it's not really often that someone gets it right.

I think the piece you’re missing to this puzzle is that in a lot of cases, it was the jesters job to bring bad news to the king. And if they didn’t put it the right way, it would be their head on the floor

I think that understanding of Matejko's envoy isn't possible without deeper knowledge of Polish history. Jan Matejko worked in the times in which there was no Polish state. In my opinion loss of Smolensk wasn't for Matejko just loss of one of fortresses at the eastern border but a beginning of a series of events which led to fall of state which used to be one of the greatest in the continent (A Polish Nobleman, Rembrandt; Stephen Bathory at Pskov, Matejko), which led to partitions of Poland, replacement of Nobles' Democracy with absolute monarchies, whole generations sentenced to work in Siberia (Christmas Eve in Siberia, Jacek Malczewski; Farewell to Europe, Aleksander Sochaczewski). I'm sure that people who saw 'Stanczyk' in XIX century were aware of it and could fully understand how huge is Stanczyk's sorrow. In this context 'Stanczyk' seems to be not only expression of grief but also a warning for future generations to care for the state more than Queen Bona.

I love the sad clown paradox because it emphasizes the significance of showing kindness and empathy towards others, regardless of their outward appearance. It serves as a reminder that we cannot truly understand what someone else might be experiencing, and that it's crucial to treat others with compassion and empathy. By doing so, we can create a more nurturing and supportive environment where people are comfortable expressing their real emotions, which Stanczyk was unfortunately not able to.

I think a major part of the Sad Clown Paradox is not just that someone is working so hard to make others happy or joyful and yet unable to do so for themselves but that we also imagine these people as bright and cheerful and happy. When Robbin Williams died there was this added layer of sadness, not only was he someone who had brought joy to our lives and for such a long time but we could not even see he was sad. He was often seen as happy and cheerful and carrying one of the largest and brightest smiles. To find that someone who we had always seen as happy was so depressed was shocking, it contradicts expectations: people who make us laugh and seem happy ARE happy and people who are sad are CLEARLY sad and unhappy. We were blind and surprised which only added to the devastation. Our realization of our own ignorance only seems to add to the sadness we feel. It's sad but expected when the melancholy person is sad but it is shocking when the bright lively person is down, it draws emphasis to the sadness we feel.

"I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy because they know what it's like to feel absolutely worthless and they don't want anyone else to feel like that" - Robin Williams

I believe that the historical context adds to the painting in a way, due to the fact that the clown realizes there is nothing he can say or do to save Poland due to his status as a performer, even though he has much more wisdom than the monarchs. In a way he is bound by status and he is unable to say what his nation so desperately needs, and if he did he would likely not see the end of it.

The emotion I got from seeing this painting genuinely made me cry. The scene captured is a place I’m too familiar with

Matejko was a great artist and we should appreciate his amazing work of art. He is one of the GREATEST polish painters of all the time. I love his works because they have meaning and you can stare at them for hours and still, you wouldnt be able to see all of those great details that he has painted in them…

I think there’s another piece of literary/historical context which is important here. Historically the clown or fool has played an important social role and, in many societies throughout history, has been considered a high-status individual as a result. That role has been to hold a mirror up to society through humour - as many standup comics seek to do today - and in many societies the clown has often been one of the few people who can speak truth to power. The fool in Shakespeare’s Lear is a great example. Understanding that, in conjunction with the historical context here, gives a sense of a jester who feels isolated by the gravity of the political situation and the weight of his role within it. The political elite don’t understand or care about the situation - they are partying away. The clown is caught between an elite who care not a jot, and the wider world which is dependent on the decisions of their leaders to protect them. The clown has the job of influencing the behaviour and policy of the ruling class, and the outside world depends on him succeeding. The clowns sadness therefore lies in the age old tension between the lack of seriousness of Politicians and the impact that their decisions have on their citizens/subjects. Incidentally, this has real resonance in the UK right now - partygate anyone? For me, this context - combined with the specific context outlined in this video - adds hugely to the painting. It speaks to the weight and loneliness that must be felt by anyone who has the role of holding the powerful to account.

It makes sense to me that the jesters job was to deliver news to the person in command in a funny way. So, the painting itself is very powerful and the video provided a lot of context that I wouldn’t have figured out on my own. The tower didn’t catch my eye until you pointed it out.

I've heard the expression "sad clown" several times. But the juxtaposition of Matejko's depiction of Stanczyk set against a party in the background added a depth to that expression that I never really understood before now. Well done!

The historical context seriously helps me to understand and feel the painting so much more! As someone who literally never knew what they were looking at in a painting, I never took them seriously cause I was never given a reason to I guess. I didn't care if a painting looked sad if I couldn't connect to it on a more grounded level. Feeling the weight of what Stanczyk has learned puts me in the scene with him, and instead of being confused, I'm commiserating.

The wonderful thing about paintings is their interpretation. Stańczyk is a jester that appears in a book called "Wesele" (Stanisław Wyspiański) as a ghost. The book depicts different types of thinking patterns polish people went for at the time and how these patterns and sins will lead to the fall of Poland. Stańczyk, as one of the wisest people in Poland, points out the wrongs in the person he talks to (The Journalist) and people on this wedding reception, telling them that if they continue everything will go wrong. Everyone ignores him. So you could also interpret the painting as Stańczyk sitting in a state of melancholy, knowing that people behind him are blind and ignorant, knowing that he can't do anything to save his motherland.

For me, knowing the context of the painting does not make it more or less appealing, but it certainly adds another layer of meaning to it. Matejko was painting this when Poland didn't exist (it was divided in three parts ruled by Russia, Prussia and Austria) and he really felt like Stańczyk might have felt knowing what is going to happen, but not being able to prevent it. As you said, Stańczyk's garment and the room in the background are both red as if they should be connected, but they're not. For me, the gap between them is a symbol of another disparity - the king and royal court have power, Stańczyk does not. This, I think, is the cause of his despair, and the cause of Matejko's despair, who also - as someone looking at the event from a time perspective - knew what is going to happen. And yet, the ones who have knowledge also happen to be the ones who have no power. And this, I think, is the real paradox of this painting.

it's also the irony that a simple jester takes the bad news more seriously than the ones who hold power that lends itself to the disconnect

His position on the chair and his facial expression are something very well-known to me Since I was 12 years old (I'm currently 16yrs old), I've been very curious about the expressions the people around me make. I've observed people, both classmates, and teachers, even my parents, and silently observed their demeanor. And this particular posture I know very well. It shows someone who had sunk to the depths of his emotions, devoid of any liveliness, and knows well what dread is. Someone who knows that something bad happened but won't tell anyone about it since he's too bothered to.

"To everyone else the jester is simply a fool, but to himself he is a light in an otherwise dark world"

A historical figure, well known to be, in fact, the King Sigismund top adviser. Framing anything as a joke, he could actually tell the King anything, at any time. The painting by Matejko (Mah-tey-co) elevated Stańczyk to the entirely new hights. In modern Polish culture, "Stańczyk" became synonymous with a sage ahead of his time, a thinker, almost a prophet, an epitomy of wisdom, harsh realism, and foresight.

The fact that when u get far from the picture , the whole area of eye looks dark then when you get close u can see how thoughtful and focused are

this painting always meant for me every one of us smiling and making people laugh but have a deep sadness inside us that only shows when we are alone.

For me the history did make me connect more to the subject, the impotence of listening to the latest tales of incompetence of the leaders of my country makes me feel hopeless and the painting encompasses the brief moment of despair before having to go back to daily life. Excellent video btw, subscribed!!

I always saw this painting in passing and thought it was cool, but now that I know what it's depicting I love it. The Jester is sad because he knows his country will soon be occupied by foriegn invaders. He is seen by his people as a jovial entertainer, and enjoys this role. However he is also not a fool, and is well educated in worldy matters, and the modern geopolitical situation, likley history too. He shows dissapointment in the party behind him as they are seemingly oblivious to things which are common sense to the Jester. The only man who knows the full extent of the situation is dressed like a clown.

i love this painting because of emothions it makes me feel. The jester's pose, his empty gaze, the contrast in their image - everything creates an atmosphere of sadness and emptiness

I’ve always loved this painting but didn’t understand the story behind it until now. Thanks for the video!

I agree that this is a very good paining. Feels very cerebral. I think the jester clothes worn by an intensely contemplative looking man are like all of the attempts by people to satisfy someone, to do what’s expected of him, and how difficult it is to maintain the facade of happiness.

for those who struggle lifelong w/ depression, it is most definitely the emotion this painting blatantly puts in the viewer's face. this is what anyone feels upon the news of any sad event knowing there's a party going on behind him/her. everyone can identify w/ this and that is the eternal element of this painting. thank you sooooo much for posting this. first time i have ever given Matejko more than a passing glance b/c of the predominance of his historical depictions.

Great analysis. I’ve seen this painting several times online. I appreciate the background and explanation, but you’re right. I like the painting for its mystique and as a performer, I guess I felt like I could relate to it. I think you hit the nail on the head

1:58 your interpretation of the painting, and how you describe the way it makes you feel is why I love good art so much. I've never seen this painting before, but there's a real magic to it. How I see that Jester is, he's detached from the crowd to be alone, fully engaged in his own thoughts, but at the same time, he's also longing for someone deeply... The colour pallet is vivid and completely contrasting of the vibe it gives off. It's cosy reds, when the mood is so bluesy. The emotional value is higher to me than the actual story behind it. As with a lot of art, especially sculpture, paintings like this one, and films, I relish ambiguity. There's WAY more depth when it's not explained for you and it encourages you to be in as much thought as Stanczyk looks to be in. Makes me think of the ending of The Thing, which to this day, is still a topic of discussion 🙃😊 *"True solitude is the obverse of true society"* - Unknown.

voice: check presentation: check actual research: check careful analysis and dissection: check guess we have found a hidden gem boys!!!

The character of the "sad clown" is also very well depicted in Ruggero Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci" (Clowns) (1892). This painting somehow reminds me of that opera.

I personally find it more poignant when the cause of the jester's mood remained a mystery, but I can see how knowing the context can give it more weight to some.

Your video half a year ago inspired me to go to Warsaw to see this drawing live. In the hall of Jan Matejko were his paintings and those of his students. Since that day, Jan Matejko has become one of my favorite artists. So thanks a lot for the video.

In my mind it shows empathy in some degree. The clown, someone that’s just taken for granted as a person that’s just around to be silly and make people laugh, is subject to the same thing that their set out to cure, sadness. It shows that even a clown is can be subject to the same dark emotions that anyone else can experience. In simplistic terms, people are not what they seem at their surfaces. The clown has their own life too and like anyone else they can have moments of despair.

Jesters tended to be the voice of conciousness in a court full of people who lived blinded in wealth and power. Hidden in a mask of mockery and jokes a jester used to drop truth bombs to the court so in this case the historical context is what captures my attention. While he is the only one swallowing the reality of war, others live in another reality.

I’ll be honest, I was brought here from my curiosity after listening to a playlist with Stanczyk in it. (If you know you know) and I couldn’t get the painting out of my head, it’s beautiful and intriguing. I’m sure we’ve all been there, sitting down and hopelessly gazing into nowhere. I find it even more fascinating that someone could paint a master piece like this, it makes me appreciate art even more and the artist and stories behind them.

First time watching one of your vids and I know nothing of art, but I enjoyed this immensely - thank you. I was completely interested, feeling and understanding everything you were talking about. Your explorations of the artist, the origin of the piece and the historical context filled out the video perfectly, and placing this before your observations and comments about the aesthetic appeal and feels of the artwork made it so much easier to just keep following along on the wonder part and appreciate it more. Very cool :)

In a way, that makes me think of Robin Williams. In a way, he was the real life sad clown. His films were captivating, entertaining and simply amazing. But in the end, he couldn't be happy himself...

Within Poland Stańczyk is a very important lesson about not losing sight of what's important. He may be a jester, but is undeniably the most aware of a political situation he finds himself in, while the royal court and nobility gives into greed and decadency, the royal jester is aware of how powerless he is to stop them from bringing ruin to their once great commonwealth. He is the sorrow of a powerless intelligent man personified. He "understands to grief", while others give in to festivities.

Never have I ever been enthralled with a video about an old ass painting, great content man.

I think that the important thing with depressing art is that it's normally more important to the artist, than the audience. When you convey your thoughts and feelings in drawings rather than words, your audience can feel your feelings in a more contextual way. Seeing the history of why these visuals are in paintings like these gives you a sense of how it must have felt to be in the artists shoes, and in a sense feel the emotions he was feeling.

To me, knowing that the jester is perturbed by the downfall of his nation makes it all the more powerful.

It’s the juxtaposition of the “clown” in reality being the smartest man in the kingdom. He, unlike anyone else, sees the writing on the wall . Historically jesters were actually highly intelligent (like comedians today) and were one of the few who could “clown” royalty and be exonerated. That’s why comedy is so important to society. Comedians are genius, using whit and laughter to subvert a message… weather one likes the message or not.

I've only stumbled upon your site yesterday. I just like listening to your analysis of these paintings.

im usually not interested in art or history of this kind but i've watched a few of your videos now and im getting intrested at least in your channel and what you have to say about the paintings. And also im amazed how impossible to draw the paintings are without any sharp lines or colors and never hold a singular hue of color in any spots. For this one i like how it shows that the clown is more worried about his county than the leaders who want to party.

Never knew the history of the painting but I've also thought of it as "Insight over all, power over none". A truly depressing fate. Nice to see I wasn't far off.

I never understood what people liked about art/paintings aside from admiring the painting skills of the artist, but this video explained the deeper meanings so well that even I got excited about it. Thanks. This video also actually helps me in my attempt to become a better photographer. The explaination about how the viewers attention is brought to the jester because of the contrast between the dark colors and the red, and also the part about the jester and the party looking like they belong together because of them being the same color. Very interesting.

I just pulled this video up randomly and holy shit. I never thought art would interest me, but this is so insightful in many ways. I've learned more about art history in this one video than I ever did in art at highschool

I think the painting is incredibly potent when looking deeper into the imagery and possible themes. The use of Queen Bona and 1533 might seem like errors at first, but further research would give more layers to the painting as well. Queen Bona is described as having been smart and ambitious, so for her to apparently disregard the capturing of Smolensk and continue to indulge herself in revelry gives the imagery of one meant to know what to do next ignoring the impending doom. 1533 possibly has significance in more abstract ways. 1533 is the years that Poland would sign what is described as a "perpetual" peace treaty with the Ottomans, at the time the latest in a series of treaties signed including one in 1514 after the Russians had taken Smolensk, with heavy implications that in 1533 the perpetual treaty had been signed due to Poland's increasing fear of the obviously powerful Ottoman Empire which had sieged Vienna 4 years previously. I believe the painting also reflects Poland's circumstances that led to their state in the 19th century, caught in between these far more powerful nations, bullied into submission all because of the short-sightedness of Poland's leaders, exemplified by Orion's belt beside the falling comet, Orion of course being a great hunter in Greek mythology who was blinded by his own greatness. The painting isn't about a man actively losing hope for the future of his Kingdom, it is a man who has already given up hope, stuck in this dark place in history, the scene over his shoulder not being a scene he cannot bear to be a part of, but rather being a scene of the past, the days of Poland's glory and splendor behind him, left alone with a dread that Poland may never exist again.

_Stańczyk_ is a strange one for me and, I suppose, many other Poles as well. We were never given the luxury of looking at it without context; the moment it appears in our history or art textbooks, we're always told to read the invariable little note about the history behind it. And so, I've always viewed _Stańczyk_ in a very dry way, so to speak, devoid of any real emotion that a piece of art should evoke. Indeed, it never was a piece of art to me -- more like some sort of historical chronicle or even a mere accessory to one. All that being said, I do think learning the context can make the artwork more potent to some. It's just that you haven't really read about the whole thing. This, I'm sure, is because most Polish sources (and Western, too, if they're based on Polish analyses) usually take Poland's political situation in the 19th century for granted and don't bother spending that much time explaining it. And that situation was that, well, there was no Poland. Or rather, there was no sovereign Polish state, as ever since the late 18th century the lands of Poland, Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine were occupied by the _three partitioners_ -- the Russian, Austrian and German Empire (formerly Prussia). Most art pieces and literature of the time were therefore devoted to showcasing one or more of three things: > Things used to be amazing and we squandered it. > Things are bad now and we have to do something about it (often implying another pointless uprising with close to zero chance of success). > Things could be amazing again, and isn't that brilliant that the possibilities are there? _Stańczyk_ is one of those pieces, indeed it's very deliberate in its implications. Let's look at point 1. In the 16th century, there was a period widely known as the Golden Age of the Commonwealth, one where culturally, economically and militarily Poland-Lithuania was more influential and/or more powerful than all of its Eastern European neighbours. Despite what some Poles would like others to think, this was a very short period of time and was quickly replaced by the "century of war", when the Polish-Lithuanian state was almost constantly in conflict (external and internal alike) and close to dissolution in the 1600s. The Golden Age also technically did not begin until 1569, when the Commonwealth was formed, but the reign of the last Jagiellonian kings (Sigismund I and II) in the Kingdom of Poland and Grand Duchy of Lithuania was generally considered to be a cultural golden age as well. I think it's somewhat obvious where I'm going with this now. Let's look at the background of the painting again -- Queen Bona's ball. This implies, as you say, that the nobility and political elites aren't at all interested in the fall of Smolensk, preferring to party away late into the night. The Polish nobility's complacency, incompetence, greed and constant tendency to fight among themselves are frequently given causes to the fall of the Commonwealth, which by Poles is often erroneously viewed as simply Poland. Then there is the comet signifying terrible events, as they were so often believed to do. And finally, the fall of Smolensk itself -- here depicted as the first of many events that would lead to the loss of independence of the (then debatably in existence) Polish nation. Then there is Stańczyk himself. And while it was true that he was a very intelligent man, he was more than that. In many a royal court, the jester was not there to simply entertain the courtiers; rather they would give the bad news and offer political commentary, seemingly in jest, so that the monarch (who are often very fickle things) doesn't get too angry. This requires a level of intelligence and political foresight that causes Stańczyk to see the bigger picture -- it's not just some significant border fortress that was lost, it's the beginning of something so much more grave. And since Poles did not have a country to their name when the painting was created, and loved to fantasise about getting one some day, this resonated with people. The reason it still does, besides the truly depressing mood and composition, is probably some outdated sense of Polish martyrology that still lingers even in our school curriculum. Then there's point two, and this is just my interpretation. Stańczyk is given Matejko's face. This, I think, is significant. Just as the jester has to deliver the news of a major defeat that could spell doom to the country's integrity (though historically it didn't, but when was history not manipulated for agenda's sake), Matejko seems to be delivering the news to the occupied Polish people: things don't seem to be getting better anytime soon. And indeed they wouldn't. So one has to wonder, as Stańczyk would urge king Sigismund the Old to action against the Grand Duchy of Muscovy, was Matejko not urging the nation to action against the Empire of Russia? As I said already, from the modern perspective of anyone who isn't Polish, this probably won't resonate. Hell, it never had even with me, but I have my own (traitorous to some) views on this distnctly Polish interpretation of history. But I do believe learning the context, despite not adding much to your experience, is important to understand the painting's significance to the culture that bore it, and understanding why Matejko painted at all.

I'd say the historic context of the painting *does* add to it, you just didn't get enough of it (which is understandable, the painting doesn't seem like the kind to require a decent understanding of renaissance/baroque era Poland's politics to understand). Stańczyk was there at a time when Poland's problems were starting to show up but didn't yet boil over into the 18th-century disaster that caused it to fall off Europe's maps. The kings bought nobility's favor with privileges, magnates bought lesser nobles to ensure the status quo wouldn't change, etc. He was seeing these things unfold, mocking and criticizing them, to no avail. In a way, I see Matejko putting his own face on Stańczyk as a sort of parallel between how the two of them saw these events. The jester was looking into the future with worry about Poland's coming downfall. The painter was wistfully looking into the past, lamenting the events that caused his nation to lose its' homeland.

I'm so impressed that you found this painting.

This video kept popping up as a suggestion and today I finally gave into it and watched it. Rather interesting video and I’ve see the artwork before, but was unsure if it’s background until now.

I had a chance to see this painting (or reprint that was almost identical) in a Polish Embassy. This is only a glimpse into how rich Polish art history is!

It’s cliché but I still think the sadness comes from his face and especially his eyes. It just shows a hidden despair ,eternal melancholy , the juxtaposition of the suit he’s wearing and his true emotion can make anyone feel his pessimism

One of the best video essays I've watched in my life ,and I watched a lot of them.👏👏

As an artist myself, i always felt like doing an introspective take on reality from my perspective. I feel like the artist definitely was going through that phase. The desaturation of the background and the softness of the red outfit is a nice stand out. I kept passing my this image on my youtube feed, and it always made me stop scrolling and study the image. Really dope art 🔥

I wish your channel were around when I was taking art history class

I never thought a painting could show more emotion rather seeing the jester alone at face value. The attention to detail to both historical context and the elements of the painting really shows the mixed emotions and conveys the thought of the jester.

This is one of my favourite paintings. Before knowing the context I deduced what the painting was trying to convey I believe all great paintings have this trait.

Found this channel today. Already loved the content

its the depression in the body that does it for me. the slack of the legs just wanting to melt into the floor as if the chair is just in the way of a process, the hands held together limply contemplating everything thats going on, the far off look as he stares down into the floor completing the "were all going to die here and not a thing will stop it" look. all wrapped up in the silly little jester outfit, the job where happy is the end goal, and he looks utterly defeated. its sorrow captured perfectly.

There is ONE MORE layer to this. In Cracow, at the time when Matejko lived, conservative circles were called "Stańczycy" after figure of "Stańczyk". He, portraiting himself as sad Stańczyk with party in another room can be seen as comment about this group - they were accused by polish revolutionaries of being "impotent" and that they can't do anything for polish nation, which was, at that time, under partitions.

Awesome videos, awesome analysis, and as someone who studies history, I brought great value to know the historical context. The painting is amazing, but adding that bit of information to it, makes it more enjoyable to me personally. Awesome video!

I had this painting as my background on my laptop for ages in high school and it's still the unlock screen. It spoke to me in high school, and the greater historical context just drives that feeling home for me. Being funny can be a depressing job.

I’d never heard of this painting before but I found it so compelling. And your analysis of this painting and many of your other analyses are so informative! You go into such great detail with your takes it’s inspiring! I’m so happy to have stumbled across your channel!

I think knowing its modeled after himself makes it sader and makes me „appreciate“ it more.

I love the economical deepness in the red featherlike lightness in among the beautiful tinges of shade between the lines. The feeling it entails onto me is undescribable. Its deep painting completed by a mature yet young 24 year old. The posture is emotionally charged and the best painting to exist upon this minute of us witnessing it. For that I am greatful to Jan Matejko.

This art was my background image for a while now and never knew who did it, now I'm hooked to Matejko. Thanks a lot

I always liked this painting. But I never knew the history behind it. Thankyou!

I think with the historical context the painting is a really interesting piece, but the fact that it works so well without knowing the context (perhaps even better, as in your case) is evidence of what a strong piece it really is, visually and emotionally. I love the contrast of cold colours of the room he's in vs the warm colours of the party and his costume. Really great video, btw!

man your work is so inspiring and it gives me so much pleasure watching it, this is very much the top 10 of my personal favorite YOU TUBE channels ... o k the 3rd...

I discovered your channel thanks to the crazy youtube algorithm and the truth is that I have been impressed with the great quality and variety of the videos, that's why I keep using youtube because even in a rubbish pit sometimes there are gems like this channel, thanks for the videos and I hope you keep growing.

This painting is how I feel every day. While the world comes unraveled, nobody is paying any attention, and I can neither escape it, nor do anything to stop it.

This picture breaks my heart due to the historical context, in my opinion it would be a crime against Polishness if the reason for its sadness were not known. And you did not add that Smolensk is a *very important* strategically located city - a stronghold in the dry passage between two great rivers separating the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Russia.

This channel is underated and I'm highly appreciative this video popped up on my recommend videos.

Thank you for guiding us deeper into this world.

When you are Polish you feel this painting at very specific emotional level Because you are on this painting This show how dark past, present and probably future of Poland People who rule Poland still makes citizens worriesome about future You can only stay afraid or lie that everything is alright

out of nowhere this video just inspired a rather absurdly interesting short story idea that i'm going to work on - if it bears fruit, i will definitely make acknowledgement to you and this video. Thank you!

so glad this got recommended to me! awesome analysis, subscribed

i really enjoyed getting the backstory - great video!

He was only 24 when he painted it? What a tremendously talented painter. Sad that no current artist could do half as good a job at the end of their career.

I would really like to thank you and the people behind this channel. I've been mesmerised by the passion and work behind this incredible content, which I've literally been devouring since I've discovered it.

Jan Matejko is probably the most important painter in polish history and as a Pole I must say that for me historical context is exactly what made his paintings so special for us. Stanczyk is sad because he loved his country and was afraid for it. He was often referred to by writers and other artist (f.e. "Wesele" S. Wyspiański) as a symbol of wisdom.