Stańczyk was the most famous Polish court jester. He was employed by three subsequent Polish kings: Alexander, Sigismund the Old and Sigismund Augustus, and was praised by his contemporaries for his w
A 1532 miniature by Stanisław Samostrzelnik depicting a scene at the court of Sigismund I of Poland. The figure on the bottom is presumed to be the only depiction of Stańczyk made in his own lifetime.
Modern statue of Stańczyk in Niepołomice Castle, a former royal residence
Stańczyk by Jan Matejko The jester is depicted as the only person at a royal ball troubled by the news that the Muscovites have captured Smolensk, which happened in 1514.
Jan Matejko, Stańczyk Feigning a Toothache, 1856, The National Museum in Kraków.
A jester, also known as joker, court jester, or fool, was a member of the household of a nobleman or a monarch kept to entertain guests at the royal court. Jesters were also travelling performers who
Stańczyk
…Stańczyk (Polish pronunciation: ; c. 1480 – c. 1560) was the most famous Polish court jester. He was employed by three subsequent Polish kings: Alexander, Sigismund the Old and Sigismund Augustus, and was praised by his contemporaries for his…
Woodcut of a jester by Heinrich Vogtherr the Younger, c. 1540
1404–1425, France. Two men smile at a jester's act, appearing to use a dog for a bagpipe.
Festival of the Archers. Master of Frankfurt, 1493. Two jesters are depicted in the centre of the picture.
King Lear and the Fool in the Storm by William Dyce