Jacques-Louis David painted ‘La Mort de Socrate’ (The Death of Socrates) 1787, oil on canvas, (51.0 inches × 77.2 inches) which was exhibited in Paris Saloon and astounded the viewers and established him as a great artist.

David painted the scene of Socrates’ death (469 BC — 399 BC) who was blamed by the Athenian government of refuting the existence of gods as well as corrupting the youth through his teaching and was offered the choice of renouncing his beliefs, taking exile or facing death by drinking hemlock. The philosopher valiantly rejected all offers and accepted death. The artist shows him calmly discussing while reaching for the cup signifying his apathy to death and his firm dedication to his principles. It is displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. — S.A.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, November 22nd, 2015