Battle of Grunwald (detail) 

Jan Matejko painted this fragment of the Battle of Grunwald, capturing a pivotal moment in Polish history with oil on canvas. Look closely at the figure wielding what appears to be an early firearm. The weapon itself is a symbol of changing times, a harbinger of modern warfare entering the medieval world. Its presence speaks volumes about technological advancement and the shifting dynamics of power. Now, consider the man's face—a mask of grim determination. His eyes, wide and intense, reflect the chaos and brutality of battle. This intense emotionality connects with the ancient concept of "pathos formula," a primal expression of human suffering that transcends time. Think of the Laocoön, writhing in agony, a figure whose pain resonates across millennia. Here, a similar sense of raw emotion is on display. The echoes of history reverberate through this image, reminding us that even in the midst of progress, the fundamental human experience remains unchanged.