The Death of Socrates (1787) by Jacques-Louis David is a poignant and impassioned portrayal of the handing over of Socrates’ poison while sitting on – quite literally – his deathbed. It is furthermore a famous example of a Neoclassical painting closely connected to the French Revolution – we will explore it in more detail in this article.
Table of Contents
- 1 Artist Abstract: Who Was Jacques-Louis David?
- 2 The Death of Socrates (1787) by Jacques-Louis David in Context
- 2.1 Contextual Analysis: A Brief Socio-Historical Overview
- 2.1.1 Who Was Socrates?
- 2.1 Contextual Analysis: A Brief Socio-Historical Overview
- 3 Formal Analysis: A Brief Compositional Overview
- 3.1 Visual Description: Subject Matter
- 3.2 Color
- 3.3 Texture
- 3.4 Line
- 3.5 Shape and Form
- 3.6 Space
- 4 Frequently Asked Questions
- 4.1 Who Painted The Death of Socrates?
- 4.2 Where Is The Death of Socrates Painting?
- 4.3 Who Is Plato in The Death of Socrates?
Artist Abstract: Who Was Jacques-Louis David?
Jacques-Louis David was born on August 30, 1748, and died on December 29, 1825. He was born in Paris, France, and became one of the most notable artists of the Neoclassical art movement. He received assistance from the Rococo artist François Boucher who introduced him to the artist Joseph-Marie Vien.
David also studied at the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, where he won a Prix de Rome, which allowed him to study art in Rome for several years.
He was controversial in his ideas and supported various political parties and his art explored these themes through the historical subject matter. This approach influenced and inspired many artists that came after the Neoclassical movement. Some of his famous artworks include the Oath of the Horatii (1786) and The Death of Marat (1793).
The Death of Socrates (1787) by Jacques-Louis David in Context
Below we will start with a brief contextual analysis of The Death of Socrates by Jacques-Louis David, looking at the historical events that occurred when David painted it, who commissioned it, as well as how Socrates died.
We will then look at a formal analysis, exploring Jacques-Louis David’s stylistic approach and rendering of the painting – we will utilize several art elements and principles as guideposts to help us understand the visual components that make The Death of Socrates painting.
| Artist | Jacques-Louis David |
| Date Painted | 1787 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Genre | History painting |
| Period / Movement | Neoclassicism |
| Dimensions | 51 x 77 ¼ inches (129.5 x 196.2 centimeters) |
| Series / Versions | N/A |
| Where Is It Housed? | The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET), New York, United States of America |
| What It Is Worth | Jacques-Louis David was reportedly paid 10.000 Livres for The Death of Socrates by Charles-Louis or Charles-Michel Trudaine de la Sablière. |
Contextual Analysis: A Brief Socio-Historical Overview
It is believed that The Death of Socrates was commissioned by either Charles-Louis or Charles-Michel Trudaine de la Sablière in 1786. However, there are scholarly debates around the validity of this as the painting could have been commissioned by the other Trudaine brother. When Jacques-Louis David completed The Death of Socrates in 1787, the political and social climate was on the cusp of the French Revolution, which started in 1789.
There were various reasons that catalyzed the revolution, especially the inequalities between the people and the monarchy, which was headed by King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette.
Jacques-Louis David was a supporter of the revolution and reportedly acquaintances with the often-termed tyrant, Maximilien Robespierre, who was a key figure in various parts of the revolution, including the Reign of Terror that occurred around 1793.
Robespierre was also part of the political Jacobin Club, of which David was a member.
However, before the events of the French Revolution Jacques-Louis David’s paintings conveyed revolutionary ideas like republicanism, patriotism, heroism, fraternity, and a return to Classical art subjects and ideals. A notable example of this includes his earlier The Oath of the Horatii (1784), which portrays a scene based on a Roman narrative.
Who Was Socrates?
Socrates was an ancient Athenian philosopher and widely known as the “founding father of Western philosophy”. He reportedly did not write any of his philosophical beliefs and ideals and expressed these through oration.
His legacy was continued through his students Plato and Xenophon, who were also philosophers from Athens.
They wrote various texts that are often referred to as the “Socratic dialogues” related to Socrates’ teachings and dialogues. Plato covered Socrates’ fate – from his trial to his death – in four dialogues, namely, Euthyphro (c. 380 BCE), the Apology (c. 399 to 387 BCE), Crito (c. 360 BCE), and finally, Phaedo (C. 360 BCE).
Phaedo was about Socrates’ time in prison and his imminent death, which was by drinking hemlock – a poisonous plant. However, the question arises: Why was Socrates in prison? He was tried for several crimes, such as “corrupting the youth” with his ideas and philosophies. As a result, he was sentenced to death.
Socrates did not compromise on what he believed in and chose to die instead, surrounded by his students.
Phaedo explored his last dialogues about the soul and its immortality – reportedly the title was also understood to be On the Soul for those who lived during the ancient times. Plato also wrote it from the viewpoint of Phaedo of Elis, who narrated the story to the Pythagorean philosopher Echecrates.
Formal Analysis: A Brief Compositional Overview
In the formal analysis below, we will explore The Death of Socrates in more detail starting with a visual description of the subject matter, expanding more on Socrates’ final moments as depicted by Jacques-Louis David, and then a discussion about the artist’s stylistic approaches.
Visual Description: Subject Matter
The Death of Socrates painting depicts a gray-walled prison cell with ten men who all appear in anguished emotional states. The central figure of Socrates is sitting on his bed – he is perched almost on the edge of it with his right leg stretched out on it and his left leg hanging from its edge slightly supporting itself on a block on the floor. His left arm and index finger are pointed to the sky.
Interestingly, this corresponds with Raphael’s painting “The School of Athens” (1509-1511), where the central figure of Plato is also pointing his index finger to the sky.
Socrates is seemingly inattentively reaching for a goblet with his right hand while his attention and gaze are on the man sitting on what appears to be a stool made of a stone block. The latter is believed to be Crito, whose right hand is clutched onto Socrates’ thigh. Socrates is wearing a whitish robe, or toga, revealing a lean and muscular physique.
He was apparently older than he appeared, a 70-year-old, but Jacques-Louis David reportedly portrayed him in a more idealized manner to enhance the visual impact and emotional effects of Socrates as a man and a teacher.
There are five figures standing behind Crito, all of whom appear distraught. The furthest figure to the right is holding up his right hand while closing his eyes with his left fingers. Some of the figures are holding their heads in their hands.
There are three figures to Socrates’ right (our left); the closest is handing Socrates poison in a goblet that will ultimately lead to his demise. He is described as a guard by some art sources and wears a red robe. His head and shoulders are drooped, and he is covering his face, as if he cannot look at what is about to happen, seemingly reluctant in his body posture. This is emphasized by his left foot, which appears tensed in its position, as if he is frozen in his tracks, so to say.
Additionally, Socrates’ hand is frozen at the moment when he is just about to reach for the poison, which heightens the dramatic effect of the scene.
At the foot of the bed is an elderly man sitting on what appears to be a wooden or stone block. His head is drooped, and his hands are held in his lap – his right hand is over his left hand – and he is wearing what appears to be a white robe with a white band around his head. His eyes appear closed.
This man is believed to be Plato himself, although he is depicted here as older than he would have been when these events took place, which was in his twenties.
Furthermore, Plato was not at the scene of Socrates’ death and many sources state that Jacques-Louis David depicted the scene to indicate that it was one of Plato’s memories, which is also why Plato is not actively engaged in this scene as the other figures around him are.
Standing to Plato’s right is another man with arms and his forehead resting on the prison wall as if he is completely hopeless and anguished over the events. This man is standing in an arched hallway that leads to the back of the prison cell.
He is also situated in the middleground of the composition, leading our gaze into the background.
In the background, there are three more people walking up a staircase – two men and one woman who is Xanthippe, Socrates’ wife. The woman is looking in our direction, towards Socrates with her right hand raised in a wave – undoubtedly her last goodbye wave.
There are other objects in The Death of Socrates painting; for example, on the bed and the floor are Socrates’ metal handcuffs and their chains, and we can also notice the red marks around his ankles, which show that he has been uncuffed.
Near Plato’s seat on the floor is an inkwell with a pen and a scroll, which is thought to symbolize Plato as the author of the story being told.
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On Socrates’ bed is a lyre; some sources have drawn references to Socrates composing music before his death and others have referenced a part of the text, Phaedo, where Socrates referred to music and the soul.
Behind Socrates’ bed is an incense burner on a tall stand; however, there is not a shadow of the incense burner mirrored on the wall, which some suggest could refer to the insignificance of praying.
This is because incense burners often symbolized prayers as offerings to God(s).
We will also notice Jacques-Louis David’s initials on Plato’s seat and on Crito’s seat. Some sources have suggested a deeper meaning to these. This could be that David felt a connection to both figures and made a connection to himself and them.
Jacques-Louis David apparently worked on several sketches around the theme of Socrates and the scene of his impending death in 1782. However, it was only several years later that he would paint this iconic scene for a commission.
The sketches provide further details about David’s preparatory process, although there have also been extensive scientific studies that reveal David’s painting process too.
Some of the changes that were made include, for example, the hand position over Socrates’ poison; in one of his earlier sketches, his hand is further away from it. In a later sketch, the hand position over Socrates’ poison is closer and almost touching the goblet. However, we will see that David created slightly more space between his hand and the goblet, which heightens the emotional tension of the entire scene.
Color
Jacques-Louis David utilized a “muted” color palette in The Death of Socrates painting. We see various hues of reds, blues, and golden yellows, which create contrast in cooler and warmer colors. The whites from Socrates’ and Plato’s clothing sets them apart from the others around them. Furthermore, there is an unknown light source from the left side of the composition, which highlights the central figure of Socrates revealing his fair skin tone, also adding emotional depth due to what is about to occur.
There is also a contrast created in the color values – Socrates’ highlighted figure has a high color value, and the figures in the shadows around him, have a lower color value.
Texture
Texture as an art element can either be the physical feeling or implied feeling of an artwork, and in The Death of Socrates, we see the smooth surface texture of the paint as well as the implied textures on the soft folds from the clothing, which is contrasted with the hardness of the stone wall and floor.
Line
There are various lines in The Death of Socrates painting; for example, the diagonal line created on the wall by the light source from the left creates emphasis and directs our gaze to the central figure. There is also an implied line starting from Plato’s head that introduces the scene behind him.
This further emphasizes his role in the painting as someone remembering what occurred.
Shape and Form
There is an interplay of shapes and forms; the figures appear organic and naturalistic in their forms, which contrast with the other more linear and geometric shapes of the prison cell’s rectangular bricks that compose the wall and floor, the lines that divide them, the squarish shapes from the seats, and the archway to the left that opens to the background.
Space
Jacques-Louis David created an emotionally-heightened space by placing the figures in the shallow foreground – the wall behind the figures brings them into the foreground and almost into our, the viewers, space.
To the left, we see the space recede into the background, which gives the composition a three-dimensionality by creating depth.
Furthermore, David creates a spatial contrast between the receding space to the left and the shallow space to the right, emphasizing the action taking place to the right and balancing it with a calm, emptier space to the left.
“The Death of Socrates” was exhibited in 1787 at the Paris Salon and received positive reviews from various notable figures like Thomas Jefferson, who was the third President of the United States. While this painting portrays an ancient Greek tale of how Socrates died, it also became a beacon of leadership, steadfastness, and heroism. From philosophy to revolution, Socrates has been immortalized as a symbol for those who faced adversity and still stood their ground, even if it meant death.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Painted The Death of Socrates?
The Death of Socrates (1787) was painted by Jacques-Louis David. He was reportedly commissioned by Charles-Michel or Charles-Louis Trudaine de la Sablière. It was within the Neoclassical art style as well as a painting that portrayed ideals related to the French Revolution, which started shortly after the painting’s completion.
Where Is The Death of Socrates Painting?
The Death of Socrates (1787) by Jacques-Louis David is now housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) in New York City, the United States of America. It was previously sold and passed down by several people until it was purchased by the MET in 1931.
Who Is Plato in The Death of Socrates?
Plato is depicted as the elderly man sitting at the foot of Socrates’ bed, to the left of the composition. He was in his twenties when Socrates died and not present at his death. Jacques-Louis David depicted the scene as a so-called memory of Plato.
FAQs
What is the analysis of death of Socrates? ›
They were fighting against the wealth and excesses of royalty, and they were standing up for themselves. And so this story of Socrates and his death was a symbol of everything that they believed in. They were against over-the-top emotion and frivolity and for things like logic and reason and honor and patriotism.
What is the significant lesson in Socrates death? ›He warns that, although his death may satisfy his accusers, there will be a cost to bear as well. It is never enough to have good intentions. One must consider all the consequences of a proposed solution, both good and bad.
What is the interpretation of Socrates last words? ›His words evoke the ancient Greek proverb, “Physician, heal thyself”. Socrates calls physicians to life in recognition that they, along with all their patients, are on a path to healing.
What did Socrates believe in? ›Socrates himself believed in the universality of the inner rational being. He believed that: The unexamined life is not worth living! The best manner to examinee that life is through reasoning which employs the dialectical method of inquiry.
Why does Socrates compare philosophy to death? ›In the final hours before his execution, Socrates preaches that philosophers should not fear death because philosophy is the “practice [of] dying” (Plato, Phaedo). Proper philosophers should renounce earthly distractions such as bodily pleasure, pain, and riches, to purely pursue reason.
What is the most important lesson we can learn from Socrates? ›We can learn from Socrates that we should get to know ourselves as best as we can and to always questions ourselves and our environment. Socrates helped others by helping them gain insights about themselves. He believed that real insights can only come from within. They cannot be taught or imposed by others.
Why did Socrates accept his punishment of death? ›Eventually, he came to argue that by rejecting his sentence and by trying to escape from prison he would commit unjust and morally unjustified acts. Therefore, he decided to accept his death penalty and execution.
What two things does Socrates say about death? ›To fear death is nothing other than to think oneself wise when one is not; for it is to think one knows what one does not know. No man knows whether death may not even turn out to be the greatest blessing for a human being; and yet people fear it as if they knew for certain that is is the greatest of evil.
What is the explanation of Socrates? ›Socrates was a moral philosopher. He was not interested in mathematics or science but was concerned with the quality of his soul and that of others. Socrates' philosophy examines how we should live. This led him to discussions on various virtues, things like wisdom, justice, courage, piety, and so on.
What did Socrates say when he was condemned to death? ›Men of Athens, you have condemned me to death. To those of you who are my friends and who voted to acquit me let me say that death may be a good thing. Either it is a state of nothingness and utter unconsciousness, or, as some people say, it is merely a migration from this world to another.
What is Socrates most famous statement? ›
Socrates is one of the most famous and influential philosophers in history. Yet, he is best known for his statement, “all I know is that I know nothing.” Of course, this phrase will not mislead anyone because everyone knows that Socrates was a sage.
What are the 3 teachings of Socrates? ›- We seek the good, but fail to achieve it by ignorance or lack of knowledge as to how to obtain what is good.
- He believes no one would intentionally harm themselves.
Socrates was one of the most prominent ancient Greek philosophers. Socrates spent the majority of his life asking questions, always in search of the truth. He is responsible for developing what is known as the Socratic method, a technique still used by professors in law schools today.
What are two important things about Socrates? ›He is best known for his association with the Socratic method of question and answer, his claim that he was ignorant (or aware of his own absence of knowledge), and his claim that the unexamined life is not worth living, for human beings.
What was the goal of Socrates philosophy? ›Socrates' practical aim was to examine people's ethical beliefs in order to improve the way they live; his method for doing this was what philosophers call “conceptual analysis”.
What did Socrates teach his students? ›His style of teaching—immortalized as the Socratic method—involved not conveying knowledge, but rather asking question after clarifying question until his students arrived at their own understanding.
How did Socrates death affect the world? ›He is the ancient Greek thinker who laid the early foundations for Western philosophical thought. The death of Socrates opened a glorious leaf of Western philosophy, of which he is both a saint and a martyr. that completely changed Plato's life and forever altered the course of Western thought.
Why didn't Socrates avoid his death? ›He finally rejected an offer of escape as inconsistent with his commitment never to do wrong (escaping would show disrespect for the laws and harm the reputations of his family and friends).
What happens to Socrates at the end of the apology? ›The Apology ends with the speech in which Socrates utters a prophetic warning to his judges concerning the verdict that history will pronounce upon them for the actions they have taken in condemning him to death.
Did Socrates think death was evil? ›Socrates believed that because of the immortality of the soul, death could not be evil, because to free the soul by guiding it to the eternal truths was the entire point of life. When death does come, it is a liberation of the soul.
What can you see in the painting The Death of Socrates? ›
Description. In the painting, an elderly Socrates is dressed in a white robe and sits upright on a bed, one hand extended over a cup, the other gesturing in the air; he is still teaching. He is surrounded by his friends of varying ages, most showing emotional distress, unlike Socrates, who remains calm.
What is the death dilemma argument Socrates? ›Socrates supports this claim with an argument in the form of a constructive dilemma: either death involves the cessation of consciousness, in which case our afterlife existence will resemble a single night of dreamless sleep, or after our death we will go to a place where all the dead are ruled over by just judges.
What was the effect of the death of Socrates painting? ›The circular effect | The Death of Socrates
Even after many centuries following his death, this painting brought forth the tangible thoughts of political reforms necessary to be revived and aligned with the revolution.
Death is one of the most pervasive themes in art history. While many artworks celebrate afterlives in heaven or hell, death is most often referenced as a grim reminder of numbered days, and a powerful motivator to live well while you can.
What can we learn from Socrates life and death? ›We can learn from Socrates that we should get to know ourselves as best as we can and to always questions ourselves and our environment. Socrates helped others by helping them gain insights about themselves. He believed that real insights can only come from within. They cannot be taught or imposed by others.
What claims about death does Socrates make in the apology? ›In Plato's Apology (29a-b), Socrates agues that he does not fear death; indeed, to fear death is a sign of ignorance. It is to claim to know what one in fact does not know (Ap. 29 a-b). Perhaps, Socrates suggests, death is not a great evil after all, but 'the greatest of all goods.
What does the death of Socrates painting symbolize? ›The Death of Socrates depicts the ancient Greek philosopher in prison in 399 B.C. He has been sentenced to death for corrupting the youth of Athens with his unorthodox ideas. As the guard hands him a goblet of hemlock, Socrates addresses his grieving followers, perhaps expounding on the immortality of the soul.
Why is Socrates pointing up in the painting? ›Socrates chose death. In this painting, a red-robed disciple hands a confident Socrates the goblet of hemlock. Socrates' hand pointing to the heavens is his love of the gods and fearless attitude to his death.
What does Socrates think will happen after his death? ›Then he argues that there is a revival or a birth of the dead back into the living world which in turn creates the cyclical nature of reincarnation that he proposes. The body is described as a prison in which the soul is trapped in and must be released.