Socrates and Alcibiades 1911

Kristian Zahrtmann painted 'Socrates and Alcibiades' at an unknown date, on canvas. It presents a scene of classical mentorship, but also evokes the artist's own social and political context in early 20th-century Denmark. Zahrtmann, a prominent figure in Danish art, was known for his unconventional lifestyle and his portrayal of historical and mythological subjects with a homoerotic subtext. Here, he depicts the philosopher Socrates and the Athenian statesman Alcibiades. The painting plays with the power dynamics between wisdom and beauty, portraying Socrates holding a statue, while Alcibiades gazes off, seemingly lost in thought. The depiction of male beauty was important to Zahrtmann's practice and challenged the conservative norms of his time. To fully appreciate this work, we might consider the social and artistic circles in which Zahrtmann moved. Archival material from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, and the writings of his contemporaries, could help us to better understand how it reflects the shifting attitudes towards sexuality and identity in Danish society.