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The Death of Socrates (French: La Mort de Socrate) is an oil on canvas painted by French painter Jacques-Louis David in 1787. The painting was part of the neoclassical style, popular in the 1780s, that depicted subjects from the Classical age , in this case the story of the execution of Socrates as told by Plato in his Phaedo . [ 1 ]
- Oil on Canvas, Neoclassicism
The Painting: Moralizing themes were immensely popular in the tumultuous period preceding the French revolution, and many artists painted the death of the Athenian moral philosopher Socrates (born 470/469 B.C.), but none with the success of Jacques Louis David. From its first exhibition at the Salon of 1787, his canvas has been widely admired for the clarity of its narrative and the purity of ...
- Artist Abstract: Who Was Jacques-Louis David?
- The Death of Socrates (1787) by Jacques-Louis David in Context
- Formal Analysis: A Brief Compositional Overview
- Frequently Asked Questions
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 Boucherwho introduced him to the artist Joseph-Marie Vien. He was controversial in his ideas and supported v...
Below we will start with a brief contextual analysis of The Death of Socratesby 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 wi...
In the formal analysis below, we will explore The Death of Socratesin 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. The Death of Socrates (1787) by Jacques-Louis David; Jacques-Louis Da...
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.
- Alicia du Plessis
- ( Author And Art History Expert )
May 19, 2019 · The Death of Socrates Painting. The Death of Socrates is one of the most well-known works of art to come out of the Neoclassic period. In the 1780s, French artist Jacques-Louis David began producing pieces that showcased an interest in classical themes and aesthetic austerity. He completed The Death of Socrates at the height of this phase in ...
The ideas being worked out on this sheet, put down with urgency and numerous reworkings, represent the conceptual framework that would become one of the most important paintings hanging in our galleries: Jacques Louis David’s Death of Socrates, painted in 1787. David was the leading artist of the Neoclassical period.
Jan 31, 2024 · Title: The Death of Socrates: Exploring Profound Depths of MeaningWhen examining Jacques-Louis David's iconic painting, The Death of Socrates, it is essential to delve into its powerful depiction of historical significance and its ability to transcend context to speak to broader themes. On the surfa
This is Jacques-Louis David’s “The Death of Socrates.”. It was painted in 1787, just two years before the outbreak of the French Revolution. Dr. Beth Harris: [0:19] We have this central figure, who points up toward the heavens, who’s old but noble and seems so wise. Around him, figures who appear to be grieving.
