Who’s the Jester on Lady Gaga’s Harlequin Cover?

Lady Gaga’s Harlequin is a “companion album” for her new film Joker: Folie à Deux, where she plays the eccentric lover of the main character. The couple is known to be a dark and twisted modern-day interpretation of a jester.

Jester, also known as the fool or the joker, was a comic-style entertainer of the noblemen in the Renaissance era and a predecessor of a clown. The figure of the fool has been a theme in art for ages as many take an interest in the complexity of these cheerful characters and the struggle that comes with such a role. Polish painter Jan Matejko was among those fascinated by a jester. Particularly one specific jester called Stańczyk, whose figure he included in multiple of his paintings.

Who Was Jan Matejko?

Jan Matejko is regarded as one of the greatest Polish artists. Born in the period of partitioned Poland, his art helped shape the national identity during the rough time in the country’s history. Matejko believed that art was a weapon for the oppressing powers and that one cannot separate art from the love of one’s homeland. Therefore, he became the leader of the historical painting genre in Poland which fostered the memory of the lost state and kept the patriotic spirit high. His artworks always told a story and had symbolic meaning behind them.

Stańczyk, created in 1862, began Matejko’s artistic career. Despite people’s initial lack of interest towards the art piece, it is now considered one of the most significant Polish artworks. It is the artist’s first historiosophical painting, which depicts the court’s jester sitting by himself, deep in thought. This painting, now featured on Lady Gaga’s Harlequin cover, draws a parallel between Stańczyk and Joker: Folie à Deux’s leading couple. But who exactly is Stańczyk?

More Than a Mere Jester

Stańczyk’s existence is still a matter of dispute, yet it is said that he lived during the Renaissance and worked for the Polish Kings Alexander Jagiellon, Sigismund the Old, and Sigismund Augustus. At that time, jesters were comedians for the upper class. Their job was to entertain the noblemen by telling jokes, performing tricks, juggling, and acrobatics. However, Stańczyk was much more than a plain entertainer. He possessed great political knowledge and often creatively criticized court matters and the country’s politics through satire. His skillful political criticism established his legacy and inspired many writers and artists.

Matejko’s Stańczyk

The scene depicted in Matejko’s Stańczyk has many possible interpretations, but all of them revolve around the loss of Smolensk to the Grand Duchy of Moscow in 1514. Smolensk had been a strategically important fortress of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, allied with the Kingdom of Poland.

In the painting, Stańczyk sits by himself in a dark room. His facial expressions appear gloomy, unlike what you’d expect from a joker. Beside him on the table lies a letter with information about the capture of Smolensk. Sulky jester is in deep thought about the future of his nation. His posture shows his disapproval of the current political situation. At first glance, it appears that the fool is the only person in the painting. However, upon a closer look, we can see people having fun and laughing in the background.

The full title of this artwork is Stańczyk During a Ball at the Court of Queen Bona in the Face of the Loss of Smolensk. The party in the back of the painting consists of the noblemen celebrating the recent victory at the Battle of Orsha. Despite the big victory, the King did not show great initiative in going further and taking back Smolensk. Instead, the court had a relaxed approach towards this issue which displeased Stańczyk.

The group’s happy attitude and disregard towards the bad news contrast with the jester’s sorrow and helplessness. Matejko regarded that scene as a significant moment of history, which began Poland’s misfortune and led to its future demise.

Joker as the Jester

The decision to include this painting on Lady Gaga’s Harlequin cover suggests a symbolic connection between Stańczyk and the Joker. Joker: Folie à Deux is a social commentary on society’s indifference towards mental illness, which leads to violence and despair.

The backstory of the artwork resonates strongly with Arthur’s character, who, like Stańczyk, disapproves of people’s blissful ignorance in the face of struggle. Both figures also embody the “sad clown” paradox. A jester and a clown—two figures expected to bring joy—hide pain and sadness behind a cheerful facade.

Lady Gaga also shared on social media a collaboration with the Louvre, that promotes her new album Harlequin. At the same time, it advertises the museum’s new exhibition centered around the depictions of jesters in European art.

Taking into account that Gaga chose Matejko’s Stańczyk for the cover of the Harlequin vinyl, it comes as no surprise that this painting is also included in the exhibition. The home of this artwork is the Warsaw National Museum, but until February 2025, it can be seen at the Figures of the Fool in the Louvre.