Visual Analysis Essay:
“The Death of Socrates” by Jacques Louis David
As the highlight of the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century, the French Revolution not only changed many structures and beliefs of society, but also had a considerable impact on the arts, specifically on the style and subject matter of art produced. The years leading up to the French Revolution, in particular, which were filled with change, can be fully understood and appreciated through one of the primary artists of this era, Jacques Louis David, and his magnum opus, “The Death of Socrates”. Painted in 1787, just two years before the Revolution commenced, David’s style focused on the morality and civic duty of man, while frequently incorporating a heavy …show more content…
The primary figure, as the title suggests, in Socrates in his final moments of life. The Athenian government had condemned Socrates for his radical ideas that failed to recognize the gods, but, rather, embraced a new form of deity. Because of this, he was accused of corrupting the youth and, therefore, was sentenced to death by drinking hemlock, depicted in the chalice held near him by one of his students. Surrounding him, are all his disciples in an plain state of despair, while Socrates is opposing them in a calm, dignified, and composed manner. On the left, on the feet of the bed is Plato, Socrates’ renowned pupil, who would actually be a young man, although is seen here as an old man and, next to him, touching his leg, is Crito, an individual whom Socrates had a dialogue with regarding the theory of state over individual, also known as political or social contract theory. On the left, in the background past the arch, there are three individuals, believed to be his family, one of whom is his wife who is waving goodbye, leaving Socrates to his fate. Being a neoclassic painting, David is reaching back to classical elements and style, which can be seen with how Socrates is depicted. While he is an old man, he still has an idealized, athletic body that is highly proportional, all concepts that reflect the perfect body of man that was popular before. A very …show more content…
It should be noted that this painting was commissioned by the Trudaine de Montigny brothers, who were the frontrunners for the establishment of a free market economic system, comparable to the laissez-faire economy. This painting, therefore, served as a political eye-opener to the corrupt political system that was both unjust and abused by the authorities in France in this period. Instead, David is declaring through his art that individuals should strive to be more like Socrates and strive to be virtuous, ethical and moral, in a time when chaos roamed and life was frivolous. As a result, it is not surprising that neoclassicism was a reaction to Rococo, which represents that same superficiality. Here, just like Socrates was the face of the first Greek enlightenment that put reason and superstition face-to-face, a similar enlightenment was occurring with these new values being the leading standards of the political reform that was needed and desired by neoclassicists, thus coining a debate between one’s obligation to the state versus the single-mindedness of the individual. This freedom of ideas and believing in oneself can be primarily seen in the painting by the chains and shackles that are opened on the ground, displaying the freedom which Socrates’ ideas embody and the strength that these ultimately give