The Death Of Socrates And Jacques-Louis David - 1578 Words

The Death of Socrates was painted by the French painter Jacques-Louis David during the Neo-classical era in 1787. The painting illustrates the execution the Philosopher Socrates as told by Plato in his Phaedo. In 399 B.C, the Athenian court had put Socrates on trial for talking about things in the sky and below the earth, corrupting the minds of the youth, and not believing in the gods, but in other spiritual things. Socrates was then sentenced to death by drinking a poisoned hemlock. In Plato’s Phaedo Death Scene and Apology, both works recount the trial and death scene of Socrates. David, later on, paint the death scene of Socrates inspired by the Phaedo Death Scene. Socrates gives his last lesson to his students while calmly facing†¦show more content†¦The establishment of the French regime began to deteriorate as the economic and social difficulties began to increase. Not only that but the enlightenment quest to promote reason as the basis for legitimacy and progr ess began to grow. The philosophes were a group of people who emphasized the idea of thought and challenged the authority of the monarchy and the church. The enlightenment era included the age of Neoclassicism, a movement in attitude toward art and human existence. Many neoclassical paintings showed emphases on the distribution of light, serious theme and realistic. Various arts were reproduced or imitated from the structures and times of Greek and Roman originals. Jacques-Louis David’s Death of Socrates plays a significant role in the time of the French revolution. As the citizens were frustrated with the injustice being brought upon them by the nobles, David’s painting of Socrates is there to awaken the people to hold on to their beliefs and never deviate from the path of what is just to them. In Platos dialogues Apology and Phaedo Death Scene, Socrates was always portrayed as sedately accepting death, as he states in his defense â€Å"†¦a man who is any good at all should take into account the risk of life or death; he should look only to this only in his actions, whether what he does is right or wrong. (Plato. 28b)† Socrates is clearly not concerned whether he lives or dies but preaches to the people one should be more concerned with theShow MoreRelated The Death of Socrates by Jacques-Louis David Essay504 Words   |  3 Pages By viewing the painting The Death of Socrates by Jacques-Louis David, Socratesâ€℠¢ loyalty to the Athenian government was far more important to him than his own death or friendship. He was more interested in teaching his students about his belief in reason and the law of justice before he died. Still, the students and friends were arguing with him and trying to convince him to renounce his teachings. Socrates was strong in telling his students how it was for the good of society that he drinks theRead MoreAn Analysis of Jacques Louis The Death of Socrates1047 Words   |  4 Pages The Death of Socrates by Jacques Louis David *summary/description: The Death of Socrates by Jacques Louis David is a striking picture of the aged philosopher sitting upright in his bed moments before the poison is taking its effect with one finger raised to heaven. He is expostulating to his students but the majority of his students turn away unwilling to see the ravishing effects of the drug on their beloved master. One student looks at the ground covering his eyes. Another sits, head loweredRead MoreThe Common Theme Of Martyrdom Within The Death Of Socrates And The Execution Of Saint Barbara1032 Words   |  5 PagesTheme of Martyrdom within The Death of Socrates and The Execution of Saint Barbara When walking through a museum, one notices the immense variation within every piece. Each work contains one or a few specific themes, and its own unique interpretation of said theme. Common themes may include, but are of course not limited to that of life, birth, beauty, power and strength, heroism, death, and beliefs. In this paper, I wish to focus on the themes of both belief and death within two separate pieces.Read MoreThe Death Of William Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet1660 Words   |  7 Pages David was not the only artist to be fascinated and inspired by historic suicides. Suicide is not an uncommon subject of paintings, or any of the arts for that matter. On the contrary, suicide can be glorified to a certain extent, in the way that a novel or film can romanticize the act without the brutality or consequences being addressed. Suicide can appear heroic in the face of a evil. It can appear to be a triumphant escape from a cruel world. Suicide can even look romantic when portrayed asRead MoreEssay The Death of Socrates1232 Words   |  5 PagesThe Death of Socrates Viewing the painting â€Å"The Death of Socrates† by Jacques-Louis David, one can perceive many different subject matters, both literally and metaphorically. The obvious is seen within the setting of the painting. The clear illustration of where the event is happening provides the onlooker with a glimpse into a different time and era. Conversely, the artist has taken the liberty to hide deep meaning inside the work of art through less apparent means. Symbolism through art workRead MoreSocrates Death Scene Analysis712 Words   |  3 Pagesscene of Socrates and his impending death, although there are some paltry and major differences between the painting and the dialogue. During the text, the readers are only aware of Crito being inside the jail cell along with Socrates. In the painting, we glimpse a plentitude of individuals witnessing Socrates drink hemlock. As everyone interprets the death scene a bit differently, most everyone will come to understand that others will produc e their own conjecture about how Socrates’ death actuallyRead MoreThe Death of Socrates785 Words   |  4 PagesThe Death of Socrates â€Å"The Death of Socrates† was painted by a French painter . His name was Jacques Louis David. The painting represents the scene of the death of Greek philosopher Socrates. He was 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 at the edge of the bed and the latter clutching the knee of Socrates. Socrates had the choiceRead More Jean-Louis David and Jean-Jacques Rousseau Essay1376 Words   |  6 PagesJean-Louis David + Jean-Jacques Rousseau Question : In what ways and to what extent is an understanding of historical context important in approaching the works of (a) David and (b) Rousseau? The Lictors Returning to Brutus the Bodies of his Sons, is a painting by the French artist Jean-Louis David in 1789. Having led the fight which overthrew the monarchy and established the Roman Republic. Brutus tragically saw his sons participate in a plot to restore the monarchy. As a judge, he wasRead More Jacques Louis David Essay2128 Words   |  9 Pages David was the virtual art dictator of France for a generation. Extending beyond painting, his influence determined the course of fashion, furniture design, and interior decoration and was reflected in the development of moral philosophy. His art was a sudden and decisive break with tradition, and from this break modern art is dated. David studied with Vien, and after winning the Prix de Rome (which had been refused him four times, causing him to attempt suicide by starvation) he accompaniedRead MoreEssay on Neoclassic vs Baroque527 Words   |  3 PagesNeoclassic vs Baroque The Death of Socrates by Jacques-Louis David is Neoclassic art style. The painting shows Socrates, condemned to death, calm and at peace, discussing the immortality of the soul. Surrounded by his grieving friends and students, he is teaching and philosophizing. His wife was dismissed to the hallway to grieve due to her weakness. Plato is depicted as an old man seated at the foot of the bed. Socrates has the body of a young athlete, as well as others in the painting