The Death of Socrates
The Death of Sorcrates is a 1787 painting by the French painter Jacques-Louis David.
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| Artist | Jacques-Louis David |
|---|---|
| Year | 1787 |
| Type | oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 129.5 cm × 196.2 cm (51.0 in × 77.2 in) |
| Location | École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris |
It represents the scene of the death of Greek philosopher Socrates, condemned to die by drinking hemlock, for the expression of his ideas against those of Athens' and corrupting the minds of the youth. The painting also depicts both Plato and Crito with the former sitting ruefully at the edge of the bed and the latter clutching the knee of Socrates. Socrates had the choice to go into exile (and hence give up his philosophic vocation) or be sentenced to death by drinking hemlock. Socrates chose death. In this painting, a red-robed disciple hands a confident Socrates the goblet of hemlock. Socrates' hand pointing to the heavens indicating his reverence of the gods and fearless attitude to his death (and is probably influenced by the central scene of the The School of Athens by Raphael).
This painting is currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Another painting depicting the event was done by the Italian artist Giambettino Cignaroli. Cignaroli's work shows Socrates already dead, surrounded by his anguished followers.[1]
Yet another depiction of The Death of Socrates was done by the French artist Jacques-Philip-Joseph de Saint-Quentin. The work, currently housed at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France, dates to circa 1738.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ "The Death of Socrates - Giambettino Cignaroli Gallery". Lib-Art.com. http://www.lib-art.com/artgallery/24250-the-death-of-socrates-cignaroli-giambettino.html. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
- ^ "The Death of Socrates by Jacques-Philip-Joseph de Saint-Quentin". friends-of-art.net. http://www.friendsofart.net/en/art/jacques-philip-joseph-de-saint-quentin/the-death-of-socrates. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
[edit] External links
- The Death of Socrates on Google Art Project
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