Jester’s Privilege

Stańczyk by Jan Matejko may be my favorite painting.

I think it is very powerful when an artist is able to tell a story and make a statement with a single image.

In Stańczyk, we find the famous jester slumped alone in a dark room, deep in thought- his garotte has dropped to the floor, news of the fall off Smolensk lies open on the table, and meanwhile, on his left and right, a royal ball continues in the next room and a star falls in the distance.

There is a lot of Polish historical context to the painting that is fascinating to read, but the thing that really grabs me about it is the role of the jester and artist in society.

In many cultures around the world, jesters, clowns, entertainers, and even puppeteers were valued as philosophers. Artists tend to think deeply about the world and have a unique ability to satirize and criticize current events and people in power.

Increasingly, there seems to be a trend in our society towards the “Shut up and sing” and “Who cares what an actor thinks” mentality, particularly on controversial subjects. I think that’s where we need artists and entertainers the most.

There is a reason the current regime seems so determined to seize control of the arts, from aligning the Kennedy Center to their ideals to silencing and discrediting critical late night comedians.

As Rod Serling said, “The writer’s role is to menace the public’s conscience. He must have a position, a point of view. He must see the arts as a vehicle of social criticism and he must focus on the issues of his time”

I think Jan Matejko’s painting really captures the weight an artist carries, even if he does wear a pointy cap.