Socrates Sardanapalus Lines

The line work used in the Death of Socrates is more calm and stable through the use of horizontal and vertical placement of lines. He also used implied lines in the piece; for example, his used of implied lines refers to line of sight, giving the direction these figures are looking. In the painting Socrates is pointing up above him while looking to his fellow servants an executors, indicating that he is still speaking his ideals even when reaching for the cup that will kill him. The use of these lines also tell the story of how the raise finger makes him look more larger and important than the other figures that add to his overall strength in principals and his teachings. David also used contour lines in this piece to create accurate human figures; for example, the lines create the visual illusion of full forms of bodies occupying space and volume. The lines used within each figure create these forms by inner curves of calves, elbows, shoulders, and even lines used in the robes. When looking at Death of Sardanapalus there is a sense of fluid movement from the expressive lines Delacroix used. For example, in the piece there is a

However, within the direction of the diagonal line, Delacroix placed swirled and curved lines to create an overall dynamic feeling. He also placed implied lines into the piece by creating directional movement. For example, the implied lines used are over and around the horse, processions, and his wives suggest they are being slain and destroyed. From these lines the composition becomes hectic and the content of the piece, Sardanapalus and the slaughter of his wives, tells the story on how he ordered his men to destroy his possessions (wives, horses, dogs, and servants) before invaded by a foreign army as depicted throughout the foreground, middle ground, and background of the