What is worth dying for? Jacques-Louis David's The Death of Socrates
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- čas přidán 19. 06. 2024
- Jacques-Louis David, The Death of Socrates, 1787, oil on canvas, 129.5 x 196.2 cm (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)
A conversation with Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker
Acctually Plato was 25 or 24 when Socrates died. This scene showing old Plato seems to suggest the moment of Plato's later, life-long reflections. And the way the deed of one brave man influenced Plato's thinking and, therefore, pushed our civilization in a new direction.
At the moment of Socrates' death Plato couldn't have been present because of his illness, yet this very moment of Socrates drinking the poison was a turning point for young Plato in a way.
The four earliest Plato's dialogues refer to Socrates' trial and death: "Eutyphro", "Apology", "Crito","Phaedo". They treat about these events but show them rather as universal moral questions than painful moments. From all of Socrates' students, Plato was the one who understood the profound power of Socrates' choice the best.
The four mentioned dialogues: they were early ones, so Plato wrote them when was way younger than in the painting. But, again!, the painting reveals so much about the influence of this moment on Plato's philosophy! And that's why Plato is the only calm companion here, I think. He is there spiritually, decades later, still contemplating his master's ideas.
This scene is so beautifully painted, refers to the ancient art in a very vivid way and makes us ask questions - still, to this day! Jacques-Louis David knew how to bring his viewers not only the aesthetics but also the rich intellectual content.
Thank you ❤️
Great episode.
Also the hands of Socrates mirror the hands of Aristotle and Plato in Raffaels 'School of Athens' combining the 3 great classical philosophers of ancient greece in one.
You're right, his gestures are somehow similar to those painted by Raphael! Great that you've noticed that. Thanks 👏🏻
This interpretation brought David and his work to life. Of course, this interpretation reflects David's own interpretation of the times, but it does not necessarily match his intentions, and I think it provides insight beyond that. I really like the interpretation Smarthistory does, the work that still brings a person and his work to life.
magnificent
This have been my favorite painting for many years!
Same here. Ever scince I've seen the original and my love of philosophy it had never left my mind (or indeed the sight as i had it reproduced for my bedroom)
I'm an fine arts student and that painting was described beautiful ❤️ thankyou so much 🌼
Great. Thank you❤
Mentioning the colors- Plato and Socrates are the only figures draped in white cloths- a color with the symbolism of purity and holiness.
Great analysis of a masterful and moving painting!
What tends to be forgotten is that the case against Socrates was really about his connection to the ultra-Conservatives (among them relatives of Plato) who had briefly ruled Athens as Spartan appointed tyrants in 404-403 BCE, after Athens' surrender at the end of the Peloponnesian War. Several of the leading tyrants had been associates and pupils of his. 'The corruption of the youth' was about whether his teaching had led, and could in the future lead, to his pupils - members of the aristocracy - to work against the state. Neither Plato nor Xenophon had much to defend him against this accusation, beyond a one case under the tyrants when he had refused to take part in the arrest of an Athenian leader set for execution. A guillotine would have awaited a man seen to have a similar effect in the coming Revolutionary France.
In a way you're right, of course... Hence in "Symposium" Plato subtly defends his master from accusations of being the tutor of Alkibiades and leading him astray :)
Such a powerful note to end on. Too real, too soon.
I'd love to know how such a contemplative man got and stayed so swole into his old age. He was in incredible shape, lol. I might think of this as I hit leg day tomorrow, especially the incredible calves on the guard.
Paintings like this awe me. I don't know how you can be that talented and portray life so realistically, it's amazing.
Socrates was famously strong/fit. He was in the Athenian military wars as a younger man and was famous for walking everywhere.
The funny thing is Platon might have been a pretty strong dude is hit look at the etymology of his name
The painter letting everyone know he is a master artist
A master artist, there is no question. He was also a money grubbing rumpswab whose base loyalties lay with whoever was in power at the time. He embraced the revolution when it paid, and ran from it when it didn’t. His “Death of Marat” is one of the most purely propagandistic images of all time, portraying a scrofulous, psychotic murderer as an innocent, almost angelic victim.
One imagines he’d fit right in with this current political regime.
@@monkeygraborange I'm not sure David's sincerity and idealism during the height of the Revolution should be so cavalierly dismissed. I don't think David's disavowal of revolutionary zeal following the fall of Robespierre was so much motivated by monetary concerns, so much as he sought to save his own skin. It's true that when the time came for David to make the kind of sacrifice he celebrates in this representation of Socrates's death, he failed abjectly, but there is good evidence that he truly believed in the Revolution, and did not court the Bourbon kings upon their restoration, but reconciled himself to exile and eventual death in Brussels.
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I love neoclassical paintings favorite is rococo and gothic style rn!
In one word…. “Resolute”….
No way Socrates was that hot
The moral hero is given a hero's body.
He could be, though not at this age (70). He fought in Athenian army and bravely. Saving Alkibiades at Potidea. Trained in gymnasium as his fellow citizens. His body could have been well built. Probably not that well or not that hot, as you say ;) But he had to be fit when was younger, really...
@@marta9127 I also recall a description in the 'Symposium' (I think from Alkibiades) of the philosopher's stoic endurance of cold while serving in the military, seen dressed in a modest cloak and with feet bare, another illustration of the great man's fortitude and self-discipline. He certainly would have had to have been able-bodied to have been an efficient soldier.
Actually he was famously ugly
@@tylerhulsey982 True - about his face