An Analysis of Jacques Louis The Death of Socrates

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 lowered. The one preferring the hemlock looks away pinching his eyes. Still another clutches the wall, whilst one places his hand on Socrates thigh seemingly beseeching him to resist and refrain from imbibing the poison. Socrates seated on bed, one hand poised over bowl the other raised heavenward, foot sprawled over bed, beard and hair like a tigers mane cloth dangling loosely over body appears radiant and ferocious. Death is not the end to all; he appears to be telling his students. Resistance can be done in ways other than rebellion or attempt to escape. Socrates knows that he is approaching a true end where tortured life on this world will meet Beauty in the next. He is looking forward to meeting the ideal up in heaven hence finger pointing upwards. There is no need to resist. The hemlock offers respite and promise. In the background, the philosophers wife unable to see his torment leaves the scene. Only, Socrates closest students remain: Plato at the foot of the bed, and CritoShow MoreRelated Eric Saties Socrate Essay3388 Words   |  14 PagesIntroduction Erik Satie began work on Socrate in 1918. Having been absorbing the scandal of Parade and becoming quite popular in the Salons of the high-society of Paris, he started planning new works. Perhaps Debussy’s death in the spring of that year was the final liberation he needed in order to be able to express himself seriously, for sarcasm is frequently a mask for over-sensitiveness and insecurity. But that spring finally brought Satie great joy. He was invited everywhere, and was well respectedRead MoreEssay on Jaques Louis David1898 Words   |  8 Pages1. Introduction Set on a stage of revolution and Enlightenment, the Neo-Classical period presents a broad and interesting topic. Jacques Louis David was the first political painter, and a true revolutionary, but one cannot disengage his art work from the social and political systems of the period. Therefore, this essay will present an overview of the social context and systems of Pre Revolution France, Neoclassicism and how David’s work was influenced by it and how his work influenced it. Also