Recently, I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and saw many renowned paintings by famous names such as Monet and van Gogh. But while most were focused on their work and other notable pieces, I was transfixed on the neoclassical masterpiece, “The Death of Socrates”.
To understand the fascinating meaning behind the artwork, it is first important to understand the event which it recounts, and - given the time it was created - historical context as well on what inspired the piece.
A History of Socrates
Socrates wasn’t the first philosopher. Before him, there were the Pre-Socratics, who were more concerned with the affairs of nature and the universe. But even before them, there were other civilizations - considerably older - that possessed some form of philosophy (generally proverbs). Regardless of this, the profession is typically considered a Greek pursuit.
Philosophy didn’t truly start to take off until the 600th Century BCE, with the rise of Thales and Pythagoras (who later formed his own cult). A hundred years later, Socrates arrived and gave the city of Athens a sort of enlightenment, thus introducing Western Philosophy into the world.
Unfortunately, Socrates didn’t write anything down. Most of what is known today was written by his student Plato, who then went on to teach Aristotle (who then went on to teach Alexander the Great). Nevertheless, it is difficult to tell what he records of Socrates is thinking of his own, or actually that of Socrates.
Socrates, best known for developing the Socratic Method, humbly walked the streets of Athens barefoot in a dirty robe. He taught people to question everything, and did this by harassing the Athenians. Making them reexamine themselves and the world around them, and presumably Socrates’s sanity as well.
“True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing” - Socrates
Socrates amassed a large following in his time, but in 399 BCE he was charged with impiety and corrupting the city’s youth. He was sentenced to death by drinking hemlock, and though he had the chance to escape into exile, Socrates instead chose to accept his fate, famously declaring to the jury that “the unexamined life is not worth living”.
Socrates’s last words were “Crito, we owe a rooster to Asklepios - pay it and do not neglect it”. This sentence was directed toward his friend Crito, to whom he's reminding not to forget to sacrifice a rooster for Asclepius (the Greek god of medicine). It was customary to sacrifice a chicken in thanks for recovering from an illness, but Socrates wasn’t dying. He thought he was being cured of the disease of life, and in turn wasn't frightened by his imminent death.
Understanding the Painting
The Death of Socrates was made by the French painter Jacques-Louis David in 1787. This period of history being a very tumultuous time, with regard to political upheaval (i.e. American Revolution and - soon to be - French Revolution). David’s piece had an underlying message of resistance against France’s unfair rule. With this in mind, it is now time to examine the painting.
The deathly cup of hemlock is set at the center of the painting, with Socrates grasping for it with an outstretched arm. The executioner gazes away as Socrates defiantly looks at his disciples who are weeping for his demise.
I’m not an art scholar by any standard, but what immediately stands out to me is the sharp figure of Socrates, jarringly pointing his arm up in the air as if stating a fact or referring to some sort of afterlife. Interestingly, this gesture mimics the same one Plato makes in “The School of Athens” by Raphael. While on the subject of Plato, David took a lot of artistic liberty while composing the painting. Plato wasn't present at the execution, but is nonetheless positioned at the foot of the bed, as if the scene persists to be a memory coming out of his head (he would have also been a young man at this time). And hence below him remains a scroll and a pen. After all, much of what we know about Socrates comes from him.
There are lots of other interesting details and characters included in the piece, like the lyre on top of his bed. Clutching his leg is Crito (previously mentioned), one of Socrates’s oldest friends and most faithful student. In the corridor, Socrates’s wife Xanthippe is being led away, and Apollodorus (another pupil) is banging his head against the wall.
Final Thoughts
David would later paint the largely influential “The Death of Marat” in 1793, following the assassination of the radical political figure Marat (who is also accounted for as being a close friend of his). Marat and Socrates alike would be seen as martyrs, though Marat’s death would lead France to plunge into the chaos of the Reign of Terror.
The painting stands out to me a beautifully articulate analogy. Socrates’s death was in a way his last lesson, demonstrating resolute devotion to an abstract ideal. In relation to the French Revolution, his death represents the struggle between the individual and the state. His trial and execution can be seen as a miscarriage on the precipice of justice. The Death of Socrates is a fatal farewell to reason.
Here is a link to a transcript of Plato’s “The Apology of Socrates” which recounts the trial of Socrates…
All images in this article are Public Domain by The Metropolitan Museum of Art
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