The Death of Socrates

In the 4th century BC, philosopher Socrates was condemned to death by an Athenian jury - accused of corrupting the youth and impiety.

He was offered exile, but chose to stay and accept his sentence : drinking a cup of hemlock.

The painting represents Socrates, mid-lecture, reaching calmly and casually for the cup, while his students weep around him.

Fun fact : David painted this scene 2 years before the French Revolution - at a time when resentment was rising against the French elites.

The painting became a rallying image for French revolutionaries, representing the choice of death over compromise with a corrupt state.

David painted this painting on commission from a royal official - his patron having no idea that he would end up funding proto-revolutionary propaganda.