Stańczyk - Art PrintPolish painter Jan Matejko kept his country's spirit alive on canvas during the years Poland was erased from the map. In Staczyk, a real 16th century court jester sits alone in the dark after learning Poland has lost a major city to Moscow, while the royal ball carries on behind him. Matejko painted his own face onto the jester. Through the window, a comet burns once seen as a warning of disaster.