The Death of Socrates’ Painting

‘The Death of Socrates’ Painting With All Its Tragic Narrating Socrates’ Last Moment Before Drinking Hemlock Poison and Suicide

We’ve all seen the famous painting, The Death of Socrates, in which Socrates, whom the people of Athens condemned to death for various reasons, advising his closest friend to “pay the chicken debt” and end his life by drinking hemlock poison. The details of this painting are very interesting, just like Socrates’ life and thought.

The painting was made in the fall of 1786 by 38-year-old J.L.David.

Socrates’ arms are strong, his body is erect. There is neither fear nor regret on his face. Plato sat at the foot of Socrates’ death bed, silently witnessing this injustice.

A pen and a scroll on the floor.

Don’t be fooled by David’s portrayal of Plato as a gray-haired old man.

Plato was 29 when Socrates died. A woman waving to death…

Xanthippe, Socrates’ wife, is escorted out of her prison cell by the guards. His best friend, Crito, who had previously tried to persuade Socrates to escape from prison, sits next to him. Commitment and anxiety go hand in hand.

But his poet friend André Chenier didn’t like the idea and told him to paint it as a man who obeyed the law but remained faithful to inner callings by saying his last words. Because he thinks people say what they want to hear, rather than telling the truth when he wants to be liked by everyone. Because he doesn’t question the ideas accepted by the majority… Because he is trying to get the approval of those who are the authority in their fields…

However, Socrates is what he cannot be. When he is not accepted by the society and is found guilty, he does not change his thoughts and does not break his trust. This picture makes him think that he can do other things than sluggishly gravitate towards socially sanctioned behavior and ideas. As long as I breathe and stay sane, I will not stop dealing with philosophy, giving advice and telling the truth.’ said Socrates.

Source : Celine Symbiosis