The Death of Socrates 1787

Jacques-Louis David's "The Death of Socrates" (1787) is a neoclassical masterpiece depicting the final moments of the Greek philosopher Socrates. The painting portrays Socrates calmly accepting his fate, while his disciples weep and lament around him. David's use of stark lighting and dramatic composition emphasizes the solemnity of the occasion and the philosopher's stoicism in the face of death. This iconic artwork remains a powerful testament to the enduring legacy of Socrates and the values of reason and virtue that he embodied.