The Death of Socrates is a 1787 oil on canvas painting by Jacques-Louis David. At approximately 50 in x 77.2 in, the glorious painting hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of An located in New York City. It is a historical painting and like many of his works of an, it focuses on a classical subject, which in this case is Socrates. The painting depicts a scene from a time in history when Socrates had been convicted of corrupting the youth of Athens, and had been sentenced to die by drinking poison. Rather than departing when given the opportunity, Socrates uses his upcoming death as a lesson for his students as he faced death with bravery.
David uses symmetry to emphasize on the focal point of the painting Although it is hard to notice at first, there are 6 people on each side of Socrates, possibly a “Last Supper” reference to acknowledge the 12 followers. Colors are used to highlight certain figures such as the four center men. They are wearing brighter robes than the rest of the figures, and have a lighter skin tone as well. Darker colors are used on the outer edges of the painting in contrast to the lighter colors in the middle to make the eye directly focus on the focal point. Chiaroscuro is used as the light shines from the top left corner directly to Socrates and his companions.
All 12 companions are painted in a stance of grief and disbelief, but Socrates is painted in a stance of heroism, as he is also portrayed with the finger of God, originally illustrated in the painting The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo. Due to the vivid colors used and the idea of heroism in the subject, such as in. The Oath of the Horatii, you can automatically tell a David painting when you see one. Although in The Death of Socrates, David transformed what would have been another historical painting, to a demonstration of nobility and self»control even in the face of death, as Socrates is still speaking while reaching for the cup of poison.
