The death of Socrates c. 1640 - 1650

Nicolas Poussin's "The Death of Socrates" is a 17th-century drawing that captures the philosopher's final moments. Rendered in brown ink and gray wash, the composition depicts Socrates seated with his students surrounding him in a room with a window. The figures are depicted in a dramatic, swirling pose, emphasizing the emotional weight of the event. The drawing serves as a preliminary study for a painting, illustrating Poussin's meticulous process and the profound impact of the Greek philosopher's death on Western thought.