Socrates and Alcibiades 1911
kristianzahrtmann1
statensmuseumforkunst
painting, oil-paint
portrait
painting
oil-paint
classical-realism
oil painting
history-painting
academic-art
"Socrates and Alcibiades" is a 1911 oil painting by Danish artist Kristian Zahrtmann. The painting depicts the Greek philosopher Socrates in conversation with the Athenian statesman Alcibiades. Zahrtmann, known for his historical and philosophical subjects, presents a captivating scene of intellectual discourse. The painting's realistic style and intimate composition evoke a sense of thoughtful reflection and the timeless nature of philosophical dialogue. The work is currently housed in the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst.
Comments
The naked Alcibiades looks admiringly upon Socrates, leaning sufficiently far into the picture to allow the spectator to enjoy a sizeable portion of his well shaped body. The picture frame crops the young man's groin in an interesting way. The scene is from Plato's Symposium, where the young and beautiful Alcibiades tries to seduce Socrates, but realises that carnal desire can be sublimated to foster spiritual development. The model for Zahrtmann's Alcibiades was Hjalmar Sørensen. Sørensen lived for some time with the senior police officer Carl Hansen, who was implicated in the so-called Great Vice Case of 1906-07, where several prominent homosexual citizens were questioned by the police. The presence of one of Zahrt mann's own statuettes of the Danish Queen Leonora Christina creates a link between the artist and Greek Antiquity. Zahrtmann held "symposiums" with male attendants and was compared to Socrates.
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