Analysis of Art Work - Essay Example

Jacques-Louis David, Death of Socrates, 1787, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York This work is “Death of Socrates” painted by Jacques-Louis David in 1787 and is one of the collections featured at Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. I can say that the general mood of the painting is melancholic, with almost all people grieving and looking helpless. The mood of the work is even heightened by the warm color of the sun that hits every subject in the frame. Additionally, the blending of the colors red, orange, and brown perfected the sad mood portrayed by the work.

Socrates, the old man sitting at the bed, depicts a very different emotion from the rest of the subjects. Looking at the hand gesture of the young man wearing a red dress, it seems that what he is offering is a sort of poisonous liquid with which Socrates, in his full sense, willingly accepts. This could be interpreted through looking at the actual death of Socrates. In his old years, Socrates was accused by the Athenian government for denying the gods and corrupting the young ones through his teachings (Bertman).

Consequence for this alleged subversion is either by renouncing his beliefs or death and between this two, Socrates chose to face his bitter sweet death. I mentioned it as a bitter sweet death because at the time he was to deal with the punishment, he was calm to accept it to preserve the philosophies and teachings he has imparted to his students. This acceptance of death goes with Socrates’ teaching of immortality of soul. Likewise is the stance of David, who is a known radical activist at his time.

Works CitedBertman, Sandra. “David, Jacques-Louis The Death of Socrates.” Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York University, 30 Dec 1996. Web. 3 Feb 2014. “Jacques-Louis David: The Death of Socrates.” Neo-Classicism and French Revolution. N.p.. Web. 3 Feb 2014.“Jacques-Louis David: The Death of Socrates” (31.45) Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000. Web. Feb 2014.