Which Jacques-Louis David painting depicts the philosopher Socrates about to drink poison?

Jacques-Louis David’s painting of the philosopher Socrates about to drink poison is The Death of Socrates.

David painted the oil-on-canvas work in 1787, during the height of the European neoclassical revival. It depicts the scene described in Plato’s Phaedo: Socrates has been condemned by Athens and is about to drink hemlock rather than abandon his principles or escape into exile.

The composition emphasizes moral discipline and reason. Socrates sits upright and reaches toward the cup while continuing to teach his followers, making death appear as the final lesson. His calm figure contrasts with the grief of the surrounding disciples. David also took artistic liberties, including the ages and placement of several figures.

The painting was shown at the Paris Salon of 1787 and became one of David’s defining history paintings. It is often confused with his other famous works, such as The Oath of the Horatii or The Death of Marat. Those paintings also carry political or moral force, but only The Death of Socrates centers on the philosopher’s execution by hemlock.