Death Of Socrates Jacques-Louis David

The Death of Socrates by Jacques-Louis David is an oil painting that was created in 1787 and is 4′ 4″ x 6′ 5″ and resides at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Gustave Courbet’s A Burial at Ornan is also an oil painting that measures 10′ 4″ x 21′ 8″ it was created in 1849–1850 and it can be viewed at Musée d 'Orsay. The Death of Socrates was painted in 1787, and it is an example of the Neoclassical period in France. When viewing the painting, the eye is drawn to the clarity of the scene. We are drawn to the subject in the middle of the painting as he reaches for a cup, the connection between the cup and the hand is powerful. Socrates was sentenced to death by drinking a deadly poison, however, Socrates could have escaped into exile instead he chose become a martyr. In this scene, he has been sentenced to death for corrupting the youths of Athens and for not believing in the gods of their tradition. He is being defiant

A Burial at Ornans is also thought to be depicting the death of Romanticism. This large oil painting honors a life of an ordinary man who was not of royal blood or a religious figure. As we see the procession from left to right, a coffin is being carried by pallbearers. The clergy just ahead of the coffin and guardsmen in red give a small amount of color contrast to the mourners adorned in black, giving relief to an otherwise dark, overall impression. There is a grave digger on his knees waiting for the coffin to be positioned, and just next to him standing just above the grave is a white dog. Dogs are a symbol of watchfulness, protection and guidance, all of these were thought to be needed to proceed to the next life in many cultures. However, it is not clear why the dog is a part of this painting I can only assume that the dog was a symbol of the loyalty and fidelity of friendship they shared during the time the man was