“Death of Socrates” by Jacques-Louis David Essay

Behind either great piece of cheatwork lies a story. Each story told by art is defined by the era in which it was created. For one to authentically comprehend what pass an artwork conveys, one must be known with the historical context from which it was taken. One great example would be cobblers last of Socrates by Jacques-Louis David. The meaning of the depiction piece of ass only be derived from an sympathy of the 18th century, an era where the Enlightenment occurred and Neoclassicism flourished. The painting end of Socrates was created during the 18th century. scorn this, the artwork envisioned personalities from antiquated philosophy.One would be prompted to ask, Why did the mechanic choose to paint figures from antiquity in an 18th century art piece? The answer lies in the historical period in which the artist was included. In 18th century, Europe was immersed in an era known as the Age of Reason or Enlightenment. During this time, curtilage prevailed in all aspects of hu parte life. The dominance of reason altered the political and social landscape, as mountain began to challenge traditional institutions and beliefs. The Enlightenment was very influential in France, which is wherefore it is no surprise that Jacques-Louis David had applied Enlightenment i proceeds in his paintings.It must be noted that the late 18th century was in addition known for the re-create interest in classical antiquity (Gardner, Kleiner and Mamiya 646). The revival of Greek and roman culture was most appargonnt in Neoclassicism, a movement which borrowed the prefatory elements of classical art. Neoclassicism became apparent(a) in architecture, painting and sculpture all these disciplines incorporate the styles and themes of the ancient world. David was fortune of the Neoclassicist movement and became one of its most spectacular painters. This was the reason he chose Socrates as his subject.Hence, Davids style and technique as an artist was shaped by the Enl ightenment and Neoclassicism. The painting describes the last moments of Socrates (Jacques-Louis David). The philosopher is put up properly on a bed in the middle of the painting, surrounded by his companions. His left hand points in an upward direction, which is an indication of the ancient Greek belief in the transmigration of souls. According to this belief, the soul lives forever. This is the reason why Socrates is seemingly unconcerned with his impending demise and had freely accepted his fate. Meanwhile, his justly hand reaches for the hemlock.The hemlock was placed in the middle because conclusion is the rudimentary theme of the painting. One would wonder why David chose to depict Socrates with the physique of a young man when the philosopher was in his 70s. It must be noted that Death of Socrates is a Neoclassical piece, which means that David followed the style of ancient Greek art. superannuated Greek art is known for its ideal, perfect depiction of human beings. Com pared to Socrates, the hatful who surrounded Socrates display a completely different attitude. The companions of Socrates are depicted as figures overwhelmed with anguish due to the philosophers impending death.The spate on the right side of the painting are obviously distressed by death. They are depicted as excessively emotional, which rendered them remarkably distinct from Socrates. that three figures in the painting seemed more(prenominal) in control of their emotions. The wife of Socrates, who is found in the left side of the painting, is leaving the prison with an achromatic facial expression. Crito is seated on a stool on the stand of Socrates bed, with his head down. Meanwhile, Plato has a firm grip on the leg of Socrates. much(prenominal) action implies that Plato did not want his master to extradite to death.In this painting, the philosophers attitude and charge of thinking becomes apparent due to the different reactions towards death as shown by the figures. Wh ile others mourn his last living moments, Socrates pre coiffe indifferent and unaffected. He accepts his death while keeping his beliefs intact. The philosopher has a more accepting perspective of death instead of fearing death, he embraces it. David meant for the painting to be a reaction towards the political situation of France during that time. As a part of the cut Enlightenment, he and his friends demanded change in the leadership of the monarchy.The painting was make prior to the french Revolution and the painter treasured his work to serve as an inspiration to those who would be involved. He sought to tell the French people some their duty to the nation. He wanted to convey the message that they must sacrifice for the good of the people and fight against unfair leadership. This was the reason why he chose Socrates as his subject. The Enlightenment called for freedom of thought. The era was some the transformation of society towards the truth. Socrates was a man who lay outed freedom of thought.However, he was killed by the Athenian government who wanted to diminish the doubt that his beliefs aroused. The death of Socrates was the death of truth. Through the painting, David criticized the French monarchy for suppressing the truth. Like Socrates who chose to defy the government and stay real to his beliefs, David wanted the French people to fight against unjust leadership and defend freedom of thought. The play of light and shabbinessness in Death of Socrates helped eccentric the message David wanted to express. For instance, the brightest part of the painting is in the middle, where Socrates was situated.Meanwhile, the darkest areas of the painting are on the sides. In the left side, there is the dark hallway as well as the staircase through which the wife of Socrates leaves the scene. The upper right hand side of the painting, the area which is found above the mourning people, is also rather dark. There is a reason behind such dispersion in t he painting. David envisioned Socrates to be a role model the latter(prenominal) proved to be formidable figure that was not swayed by the advance of death. He was a man who willingly gave up his life and refuses to turn away his ideals. This was the reason why the light was fixed upon him.Those who are situated the dark areas are the people David wanted to change. The darkness touches upon the weeping companions of Socrates, those people who surrender to grief when confronted with death. The wife of Socrates is depicted as fleeing from the scene, as if she cannot bear to deal with the philosophers demise. David wanted virtue and sacrifice from the people who are confronted with a revolution and those in the dark areas in the painting represent those who lack these notions. The movement of the figures is also instrumental in demonstrating the meaning of the painting.The viewer can clearly see the contrast between the stance of the philosopher and the stance of the people around h im. On one hand, Socrates is in a straight sit down position the painting makes him appear full of life and energy. It is also evident that he possesses self-control at that moment. On the other hand, the figures who surround him bump lifeless body language. The philosophers companions are shown to be stooping, with their heads dropped. The posture of the figures unsocial highlights the difference between Socrates and his companions.The difference in posture contributes to the meaning of the painting because it asserts the position of Socrates as the one to emulate in the time of the French Revolution. David wanted the French people to be like Socrates, a man who stood by what he believed in and was not afraid of the consequences. All artworks squander a story to share. The story behind an artwork can be best understood when one is familiar with the historical era from which it was made. In the case of Death of Socrates by Jacques-Louis David, one must know about the Enlightenme nt and Neoclassicism in the 18th century to know what the artist wanted to convey.David was an artist who was strongly influenced by the Enlightenment and Neoclassicism, so the only way to truly understand his work is to look through history.Works Cited Gardner, Helen, Fred S. Kleiner and Christin J. Mamiya. Gardners Art Through the Ages The Western Perspective. Florence, Kentucky Cengage Learning, 2005. Jacques-Louis David The Death of Socrates. Boston College Web Site. 27 Nov. 2006. 31 March 2009 .