In this landmark of Neoclassical painting from the years immediately preceding the French Revolution, David took up a classical story of resisting unjust authority in a sparse, frieze-like composition. The Greek philosopher Socrates (469–399 B.C.) was convicted of impiety by the Athenian courts; rather than renounce his beliefs, he died willingly, discoursing on the immortality of the soul before drinking poisonous hemlock. Through a network of carefully articulated gestures and expressions, David’s figures act out the last moments of Socrates’s life. He is about to grasp the cup of hemlock, offered by a disciple who cannot bear to witness the act. David consulted antiquarian scholars in his pursuit of an archeologically exacting image, including details of furniture and clothing; his inclusion of Plato at the foot of the bed, however, deliberately references not someone present at Socrates’s death but, rather, the author whose text, Phaedo, had preserved this ancient story into modern times.
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Fig. 1. Herm of Socrates, from a Greek original of the second half of the 4th century B.C., marble, 54.8 cm (Musei Capitolini, Rome; MC 0508). Possible source for David's figure.
Fig. 2. Infrared reflectogram (see Technical Notes)
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Fig. 3. Picture in frame: overall
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Fig. 4. Painting in frame: corner
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Fig. 5. Painting in frame: angled corner
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Fig. 6. Profile drawing of frame. W 7 11/16 in. 19.6 cm (T. Newbery)
Artwork Details
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Title:The Death of Socrates
Artist:Jacques Louis David (French, Paris 1748–1825 Brussels)
The Artist: The great history painter and portraitist Jacques Louis David studied with Joseph Marie Vien and then, in 1766, entered the school of the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture. Having won the 1774 Prix de Rome, David traveled to Italy with Vien, an early exponent of Neoclassicism and the newly appointed director of the French Academy there. In the Italian capital, David followed the traditional course of study, drawing from the antique, from models, from nature, and from contemporary and earlier paintings. He made innumerable studies that attest to his passionate interest in antiquity and in the style espoused in the seventeenth century by Nicolas Poussin, the great French artist who had resided in Rome (David was later regarded as Poussin’s successor). David returned to Paris in 1780 and the next year was accepted as a candidate member of the Académie Royale, with Belisarius Begging Alms (Musée des Beaux-Arts, Lille), a subject from ancient history praised for its nobility of spirit. His reception piece, presented in 1783, was the starkly heroic Grieving Andromache (École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris).
The Painting: Moralizing themes were immensely popular in the tumultuous period preceding the French revolution, and many artists painted the death of the Athenian moral philosopher Socrates (born 470/469 B.C.), but none with the success of Jacques Louis David. From its first exhibition at the Salon of 1787, his canvas has been widely admired for the clarity of its narrative and the purity of its sentiment. In 399 B.C., having been accused by the Athenian government of impiety and of corrupting his young followers with his teachings, Socrates was tried, found guilty, and offered the choice of renouncing his beliefs or drinking the cup of poisonous hemlock. He died willingly for his principles, and here gestures toward the cup, points toward the heavens, and discourses on the immortality of the soul. The picture, with its stoic theme, has been described as David’s most perfect Neoclassical statement, and there is an immense body of contemporary critical literature which describes the enthusiasm with which it was received.
The artist consulted Plato’s Phaedo; he sought advice from the classical scholar Jean Félicissme Ardry, and may have availed himself of a variety of other sources including Diderot’s treatise on dramatic poetry and works by the poet André Chenier. It is also possible that he found inspiration in contemporary theater. The pose of the figure seated at the foot of the bed, usually identified as Plato (who was not actually present on the day Socrates died), was reportedly inspired by the English novelist Richardson. One drawing for the composition is in a private collection in Paris, while two others have been acquired in recent years by The Met (2013.59 and 2015.149). There are no less than six studies for the drapery of individual figures: three in the Musée Bonnat, Bayonne (AI 1890-1892), and one each at the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Tours (922-306-2), the Musée Magnin, Dijon (MMG 1938-234), and The Met (61.161.1).
There is uncertainty as to which of the Trudaine brothers commissioned the painting. David frequented a Salon for enlightened, mostly well-born young Parisian intellectuals with liberal political sentiments that had been formed by Trudaine de Montigny, his younger brother Trudaine de la Sablière, and André Chenier, all three of whom would die by the guillotine in 1794. The Trudaines reportedly owned, in addition to The Death of Socrates, a small painted study for the picture with nine figures which was seized during the revolution and never located.
Katharine Baetjer 2017
Imaging has allowed the exploration of aspects of the painting in its early stages. Infrared reflectography (IRR; see fig. 2 above) did not reveal either orthogonal lines for a perspective system or a grid for the transfer of the design, though it is possible that these were in a material invisible to infrared wavelengths, such as red chalk. (A horizontal line in Socrates’s chest that might be read as part of a grid is a continuation of the crack between the stone blocks of the wall.) IRR did reveal extensive underdrawing around the contours of the figures and indications of folds in the clothing. Most evident in the figure assumed to be Crito (seated to the right of Socrates) due to the relative transparency of his robe to infrared radiation, the fine underdrawn lines were carefully laid in with a brush. Key contours, for example Socrates’s left shoulder, were indicated before the drapery. IRR shows numerous small adjustments made during painting, for example in the shoulders of the servant who hands Socrates the cup; there is a slightly bigger shift between the underdrawn left contour of Crito’s robe—which corresponds to the squared figure study (The Met, 61.161.1)—and the painted contour, which was moved further to the right. That IRR shows only minor changes to the composition is not surprising, given David’s practice of making extensive preparatory drawings for the composition and for individual figures. Both involve key elements in the drama that had evolved in the studies and had not been resolved when the painting began. The position of the chain of Socrates’s shackles was adjusted; initially the chain was suspended in front of the leg of the bed, and subsequently the artist placed it coming around the back of the bed. Likewise, the relationship between the hands and the cup of hemlock also evolved in the painting; Socrates’s wrist was initially painted closer to the cup, and was subsequently moved further to the right.
Charlotte Hale 2018
Inscription: Signed, dated, and inscribed: (lower left, on block) L·D; (lower left corner) M DCCLXXXVII·; (right, on bench) L.David.; (right, on bench, in Greek) ATHENAION (of Athens)
Charles Louis Trudaine de Montigny, Paris (until d. 1794; inv., as "composition de 13 figures," estimated at 10,000 livres and seized for the nation); Louise Micault de Courbeton, Madame Trudaine de Montigny (1794–d. 1802); her brother, Lubin Marie Vivant Micault de Courbeton (1802–d. 1809); his cousin, Armand Maximilien François Joseph Olivier de Saint-Georges, fifth marquis de Vérac (1809–d. 1858); his widow, Euphémie de Noailles, marquise de Vérac (1858–d. 1870); her son-in-law, Adolphe, comte de Rougé (1870–d. 1871; his estate sale, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, April 8, 1872, no. 1, for Fr 17,600, to Bianchi); Marius Bianchi, Paris (1872–d. 1904); Mathilde Jeanin, Madame Marius Bianchi (1904–1913 or after); their daughters, Renée, vicomtesse Fleury, Thérèse, comtesse Murat, and Solange, marquise de Ludre-Frolois (until 1931; sold through Walter Pach to The Met)
Paris. Salon. August 25–?September 25, 1787, no. 119 (as "Socrate au moment de prendre la ciguë,' "6 pieds de large, sur 4 de haut," lent by M. de Trudaine).
Paris. Salon. September 15–?December 3, 1791, no. 299 (as "Socrate, au moment de prendre la Ciguë").
Paris. Galerie du Luxembourg. "Principaux tableaux," 1818 [see Bulgari 1827].
Paris. Galerie Lebrun. "Ouvrages de peinture exposés au profit des Grecs [first exhibition]," May 17–July 3, 1826, no. 35 or 37 (lent by the marquis de Vérac) [listed as no. 37 in the first two editions of the exhibition catalogue and as no. 35 in the third edition; see "La Grèce en révolte: Delacroix et les peintres français, 1815–1848," exh. cat., Paris, 1996, pp. 267, 270].
Paris. Galerie Lebrun. "Ouvrages de peinture exposés au profit des Grecs [second exhibition]," July 16–November 19, 1826, no. 41 (lent by the marquis de Vérac).
Paris. Galerie des Beaux-Arts (Bazar Bonne-Nouvelle). "Exposition au profit de la caisse de secours et pensions de la société des artistes peintres . . . et dessinateurs," January 11–?, 1846, no. 7 (lent by the marquis de Vérac).
Paris. Musée du Luxembourg. ?1850s–in or after 1864.
Paris. Palais de la Présidence du Corps Législatif. "Ouvrages de peinture exposés au profit de la colonisation de l'Algérie par les Alsaciens-Lorrains," April 23–?, 1874, no. 761 (lent by M. Bianchi).
Paris. Palais des Beaux-Arts. "David et ses élèves," April 7–June 9, 1913, no. 23 (as "Socrate au moment de prendre la ciguë," lent by Mme Bianchi, "arrière-petite fille de David").
New York. Wildenstein. "The French Revolution," December 1943, no. 49.
New York. Century Association. "Sculpture by Houdon, Paintings and Drawings by David," February 19–April 10, 1947, no. 12.
Paris. Orangerie des Tuileries. "David: Exposition en l'honneur du deuxième centenaire de sa naissance," June 1–September 30, 1948, no. M.O. 21.
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "The Classical Contribution to Western Civilization," April 21–September 5, 1949, not in catalogue [possibly shown in New York only].
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Art Treasures of the Metropolitan," November 7, 1952–September 7, 1953, no. 139.
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "History Painting—Various Aspects: James Rosenquist’s 'F-111'," February 15–May 17, 1968, no catalogue.
Paris. Petit Palais. "Baudelaire," November 23, 1968–March 17, 1969, no. 156.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. "Masterpieces of Painting in The Metropolitan Museum of Art," September 16–November 1, 1970, unnumbered cat. (p. 72).
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Masterpieces of Fifty Centuries," November 14, 1970–June 1, 1971, no. 356.
London. Royal Academy of Arts. "The Age of Neo-classicism," September 9–November 19, 1972, no. 63 [shown at Royal Academy].
Paris. Grand Palais. "De David à Delacroix: La peinture française de 1774 à 1830," November 16, 1974–February 3, 1975, no. 32.
Detroit Institute of Arts. "French Painting 1774–1830: The Age of Revolution," March 5–May 4, 1975, no. 32.
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "French Painting 1774–1830: The Age of Revolution," June 12–September 7, 1975, no. 32.
Washington. National Gallery of Art. "The Eye of Thomas Jefferson," June 5–September 6, 1976, no. 331.
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Jacques Louis David: Radical Draftsman," February 17–May 15, 2022, no. 35.
THIS WORK MAY NOT BE LENT.
L. N. [Alexandre Lenoir]. L'ombre de Rubens au sallon, ou l'école des peintres, dialogue critique. 1787, pp. 37, 41 [Collection Deloynes, vol. 15, no. 371, pp. 97, 101; McWilliam 1991, no. 0451], finds the background too prominent; notes that the sharpness and murderous effect ["effet meurtrier"] suggest a colored sculpture, not the sweet harmony of a painting.
Observations critiques sur les tableaux du sallon de l'année 1787. Paris, 1787, pp. 15–17 [Collection Deloynes, vol. 15, no. 373, pp. 157–59; McWilliam 1991, no. 0439], offers unstinting praise especially of the figure and expression of Socrates, mentioning the admiration of the crowd.
[Jean-Baptiste Pujoulx]. Les grandes prophéties du Grand Nostradamus sur le grand salon de peinture de l'an de grâce 1787. 1787, pp. 17–19 [Collection Deloynes, vol. 15, no. 374, pp. 193–95; McWilliam 1991, no. 0427], admires the four principal figures but finds the painting less harmonious than others of David.
L[ouis]. B[onnefoy]. de B[ouyon]. Lanlaire au salon académique de peinture. 1787, p. 24 [Collection Deloynes, vol. 15, no. 375, p. 244; McWilliam 1991, no. 0450], draws attention to the clarity of the composition.
Tarare au sallon de peinture. 1787, pp. 19–20 [Collection Deloynes, vol. 15, no. 376, pp. 275–76; McWilliam 1991, no. 0444], as worthy of Raphael, a modern masterpiece.
[Louis François Henri Lefébure]. Encore un coup de patte, pour le dernier, ou dialogue sur le salon de 1787, première partie. 1787, pp. 23–26 [Collection Deloynes, vol. 15, no. 378, pp. 319–22; McWilliam 1991, no. 0426], finds great faults (such as the colossal scale of the meditating philosopher) balanced by sublime beauties.
Jean-Baptiste Claude R[obin]. L'ami des artistes au sallon. Paris, 1787, pp. 36–38 [Collection Deloynes, vol. 15, no. 379, pp. 374–76; McWilliam 1991, no. 0419], stresses the individuality of the figures; publishes Duchofal's poem in homage to David.
Lettre d'un amateur de Paris à un amateur de province sur le sallon de peinture de l'année 1787. Paris, 1787, pp. 11–13 [Collection Deloynes, vol. 15, no. 381, pp. 411–13; McWilliam 1991, no. 0435], admires the drawing, expressions, and color, but finds that the figures should be better united with the background.
Critès. La plume du coq de Micille, ou aventures de Critès au sallon. 1787, p. 38 n. 2 [Collection Deloynes, vol. 15, no. 382, p. 462 n. 2; McWilliam 1991, no. 0440], as one of David's most ordinary paintings.
La bourgeoise au sallon. 1787, pp. 16–17 [Collection Deloynes, vol. 15, no. 384, pp. 524–25; McWilliam 1991, no. 0422], states that it shows David deploying all the resources of his genius.
Merlin au salon en 1787. 1787, pp. 15–20 [Collection Deloynes, vol. 15, no. 385, pp. 547–52; McWilliam 1991, no. 0438], finds the poses overstudied and the finish excessive, the effect not sufficiently generalized.
Mr. A. B. C. D. . . . Ah! Ah! ou relation véritable . . . de la conversation . . . au sallon du Louvre, en examinant les tableaux qui y sont exposés. 1787, p. 13 [Collection Deloynes, vol. 15, no. 386, p. 585; McWilliam 1991, no. 0420].
Inscriptions pour mettre au bas de différens tableaux exposés au sallon du Louvre en 1787. 1787, p. 11 [Collection Deloynes, vol. 15, no. 387, p. 603; McWilliam 1991, no. 0428].
[Jacques Antoine Dulaure]. Critique des quinze critiques du salon, ou notices faites pour donner une idée de ces brochures. 1787, pp. 7, 10–13 [Collection Deloynes, vol. 15, no. 390, pp. 683, 686–89; McWilliam 1991, no. 0424], finds the criticisms of "Merlin" excessive.
[Charles Albert Demoustier]. Le bouquet du sallon. [1787], p. 5 [Collection Deloynes, vol. 15, no. 388, p. 613; McWilliam 1991, no. 0421].
[Louis Abel Beffroy de Reigny]. Le cousin Jacques hors du sallon; folie sans conséquence à l'occasion des tableaux exposés au Louvre en 1787. 1787, pp. 45–47 [Collection Deloynes, vol. 15, no. 389, pp. 661–63; McWilliam 1991, no. 0423].
[Observations du journal de Paris sur l'exposition des tableaux du Louvre en 1787]. [1787] [Collection Deloynes, vol. 15, no. 394, pp. 765–66; McWilliam 1991, no. 0430]
, questions the use of a slate-colored background.
[Observations contenues dans les Petites affiches de Paris]. [1787] [Collection Deloynes, vol. 15, no. 395, p. 807; McWilliam 1991, no. 0419A], mentions the enthusiastic reception of the picture.
[Observations tirées du Mercure de France]. [1787] [Collection Deloynes, vol. 15, no. 396, pp. 836–38, transcribed from edition of September 22, 1787, p. 177; McWilliam 1991, no. 0437], notes that the head of Socrates follows an antique bust.
[Observations contenues dans l'Année littéraire]. [1787] [Collection Deloynes, vol. 15, no. 397, pp. 863–65], as the finest history painting of the Salon; mentions the calm of Socrates versus the affliction of his followers.
"Exposition des tableaux au salon du Louvre en 1787." Journal général de France ([1787]) [Collection Deloynes, vol. 15, no. 402, pp. 957–61; McWilliam 1991, no. 0434], believes the artist was particularly concerned with the legibility of the figures.
"Exposition des peintures, sculptures et gravures." Journal encyclopédique ([1787]) [Collection Deloynes, vol. 50, no. 1360, pp. 393–94; McWilliam 1991, no. 0433], singles out the contributions of Vien and David.
M. C***. Examen des critiques qui ont été publiées sur l'exposition des tableaux au Salon du Louvre en 1787. 1787, pp. 22–24 [Collection Deloynes, vol. 15, no. 400, pp. 926–28; McWilliam 1991, no. 0445], praises Peyron but favors David.
Thomas Jefferson. Letter to John Trumbull. August 30, 1787, comments that "the best thing is the Death of Socrates by David, and a superb one it is".
Count Stanislas Kostka Potocki. Lettre d'un étranger sur le sallon de 1787. [1787] [see Revue Universelle des Arts 16 (1862), pp. 377–79, and Zoltowska 1974, pp. 34, 36–38], calls Socrates god-like, and observes that Peyron's painting of the subject is much inferior.
[John Boydell]. "Observations on the State of the Arts in Paris." The World (October 2, 1787), p. 2 [reprinted in Bordes 1992], as the greatest work of art since the Sistine Chapel and Raphael's stanze in the Vatican.
Jean Germain Drouais. Letter to David. June 13, 1787 [published in David 1880, pp. 41–42], writes from Rome that he has heard the painting is superb.
Jean Germain Drouais. Letter to David. August 10, 1787 [published in David 1880, p. 42], implies that David wrote expressing concern that his figure of Socrates would be too cold and pale in tone for a man of advanced age.
Jean Germain Drouais. Letter to David. December 19, 1787 [published in David 1880, p. 51], writes enthusiastically about the painting, which he had seen in an engraving of the Salon installation.
The World (October 11, 1787), p. 2, names David among the most distinguished artists in the 1787 exhibition, mentioning this picture.
The World (October 18, 1787), p. 2, as having "particular excellence"; reports in error that "the original price, to Mons. Chatelet, was 150 Guineas. Since the Exhibition opened, 1000 Guineas have been offered, and refused!".
General Evening Post (September 8–11, 1787), p. 3 [as Extract of a Letter from Paris, Sept. 3].
"Extract of a letter from Paris, Sept. 18." Morning Chronicle and London Advertiser (September 26, 1787), p. 3, notes that Boydell took "great notice" of it.
"Arts: Extract of a Letter from Paris, Sept. 3." The Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser (September 12, 1787), p. 3.
J. H. Meister. "Suite de la notice des tableaux exposés cette année au Louvre." (November 1787) [reprinted in "Correspondance littéraire, philosophique et critique par Grimm, Diderot, Raynal, Meister, etc.," ed. M. Tourneux, Paris, 1881, pp. 165–67], describes the picture at length and offers criticisms and, on balance, admiration.
J. H. Meister. "Fin de la notice des tableaux exposés cette année au Louvre." (December 1787) [reprinted in "Correspondance littéraire, philosophique et critique par Grimm, Diderot, Raynal, Meister, etc.," ed. M. Tourneux, Paris, 1881, p. 184].
Sir Brooke Boothby. Letter to Sir Joshua Reynolds. January 26, 1788 [published in Schnapper 1989, p. 573], observes that "M. David tho' a remarkably modest person is ambitious of fame. He wishes to have a picture seen in England, and would send either the Horatii or the Socrates . . . .".
"Extract of a letter from Paris, April 3." Public Advertiser (April 18, 1788), p. 2, as purchased by the Duke of Orleans.
The Star (December 18, 1788), p. 3, states that David "defers his attempt on London til next summer".
Louis François Henri Lefébure. Vérités agréables ou le salon vu en beau. Paris, 1789, pp. 15–16 [Collection Deloynes, vol. 16, no. 415, pp. 173–74; McWilliam 1991, no. 0465], compares the two versions, calling Peyron's painting, a royal commission, the work of "a profound philosopher," and David's that of "a great logician".
[Louis Petit de Bachaumont]. Mémoires secrets. Vol. 36, London, 1789, pp. 318–20, 346–47, compares Peyron's painting unfavorably to David's.
Explication des peintures, sculptures et gravures, de messieurs de l'Académie Royale, dont l'exposition a été ordonnée par sa majesté. Paris, 1791, p. 17, no. 88 [Collection Deloynes, vol. 17, no. 432].
M. D . . . [Philippe Chery]. Explication et critique impartiale de toutes les peintures, sculptures, gravures, dessins, &c., exposés au Louvre d'après le décret de l'Assemblée nationale, au mois de septembre 1791, l'an III de la Liberté. Paris, 1791, p. 37, no. 299 [reprinted in Anatole de Montaiglon, "Le livret de l'exposition faite en 1673 . . . suivi . . . des livrets . . . jusqu'en 1851," Paris, 1852; Collection Deloynes, vol. 17, no. 436, p. 171], as a masterpiece.
Jean Joseph Pithou de Loinville. Le plaisir prolongé, le retour du Salon chez soi et celui de l'abeille dans sa ruche. Paris, 1791, p. 39, no. 299 [Collection Deloynes, vol 17, no. 437, p. 243; McWilliam 1991, no. 0496], as beyond praise.
"De l'exposition de 1791, en général et particulièrement de celle des tableaux déjà connus par les précédentes expositions." Chronique de Paris ([September–October 1791]) [Collection Deloynes, vol. 17, no. 452, p. 601; McWilliam 1991, no. 0475], mentions the "Horatii" and "Brutus," as well as "Socrates".
Philippe Chery. Lettres analitiques, critiques et philosophiques, sur les tableaux du Sallon. Paris, 1791, pp. 59–60 [Collection Deloynes, vol. 17, no. 441, pp. 419–20; McWilliam 1991, no. 0485], as painted between the artist's "Horatii" and his "Brutus," better than the latter and inferior to the former.
André Chénier. "Sur la peinture d'histoire." Journal de Paris (March 20, 1792) [reprinted in G. Walter, ed., "Oeuvres complètes," 1940, p. 284], describes David as nourished by constant study of Italian masterpieces.
André Morellet. Mémoire pour les citoyennes Trudaine veuve Micault, Micault veuve Trudaine et le citoyen vivant Micault-Courbeton fils. Paris, 1794, p. 79, names Trudaine the elder as the one who commissioned this picture.
T. C. Bruun Neergaard. Sur la situation des beaux-arts en France, ou lettres d'un Danois à son ami. Paris, 1801, pp. 89, 96 [Collection Deloynes, no. 642; McWilliam 1991, no. 0618], states that Plato is seated beside Socrates; notes that many people criticized the picture for figures too closely resembling antiquity and faulted the artist for the highly finished drawing, but observes that censure may be a form of praise.
Joseph Farington. Journal entry. September 20, 1802 [published in Garlick, K., and Macintyre, A., eds. "The Diary of Joseph Farington," vol. 5, New Haven, 1979, p. 1861], mentions having seen in David's rooms in the Louvre "a drawing of the death of Socrates made by one of the Pupils of David".
C[harles]. P[aul]. Landon. Annales du musée et de l'école moderne des beaux-arts 3 (1803), pp. 147–48, ill. (C. Normand's engraving), as in the collection of Micault de Courbeton, brother-in-law of Trudaine, for whom it was painted.
[Pierre Jean-Baptiste Chaussard]. Le Pausanias français, ou description du salon de 1806. Paris, 1806, pp. 155–56 [reprinted in "Notice historique sur Louis David, peintre," Revue universelle des arts 18 (1863–64), pp. 119–20], states that the artist told him the pose of the mourning Crito was based on the position assumed by Uncle Harlowe during the reading of Clarissa's will in Richardson's novel Clarissa; as bought by "MM. de Trudaine".
The Historic Gallery of Portraits and Paintings, or, Biographical Review. London, 1807, vol. 1, pp. 255–56, ill. opp. p. 255 (W. Cooke's engraving) [paraphrase of Landon 1803].
Joachim Le Breton. Rapport sur les beaux-arts. 1808, pp. 43–44 n. 1, pp. 50, 105 [reprinted in "Rapports à l'Empereur sur le progrès des sciences, des lettres et des arts depuis 1789," vol. 5, "Beaux-arts," Paris, 1989, pp. 94–95 n. 31, pp. 100, 146].
William Hayley. The Life of George Romney, Esq. London, 1809, p. 149, states that when he and Romney saw this picture in 1790 it "imprest us with considerable respect for [David's] talents".
Notice sur la vie et les ouvrages de M. J.-L. David. Paris, 1824, pp. 32–34, relates that Napoleon, through David, tried to buy the painting from Trudaine for 60,000 francs; relates also that Trudaine had paid 10,000.
A[imé]. Th[omé de Gamond]. Vie de David. Paris, 1826, pp. 31, 129–30, 162.
A. Mahul. Annuaire nécrologique, ou complément annuel . . . année 1825. Paris, 1826, pp. 118, 135, as belonging to the marquis de Vérac.
P[ierre-]. F[rançois]. T[issot]. "Exposition de peinture au profit des grecs." Le constitutionnel (June 5, 1826), p. 3.
P[ierre]. A[lexandre]. Coupin. Essai sur J. L. David, peintre d'histoire . . . Paris, 1827, pp. 19, 46, 53, observes that David included Plato at the foot of the bed in the scene of Socrates's death although he was absent; identifies the disciple who touches the master as Crito, and relates the anecdote about André Chénier suggesting that Socrates should be shown extending his hand toward the cup.
Stamati Bulgari. Examen moral des principaux tableaux de la galerie du Luxembourg en 1818, et considérations sur l'état actuel de la peinture en France. Paris, 1827, pp. 6–8 [first published 1818; see Saunier 1913, p. 380 n. 1].
Stamati Bulgari. Sur le but moral des arts. [1827], pp. 2, 6, 10 [see Rosenthal 1900, p. 12].
Ch[arles]. Gabet. Dictionnaire des artistes de l'école française, au XIXe siècle. Paris, 1834, p. 178.
Charles de Pougens and Louise B. de Saint-Léon. Mémoires et souvenirs. Paris, 1834, p. 27.
Charles Blanc. Histoire des peintres français au dix-neuvième siècle. Paris, 1845, vol. 1, pp. 171–73, 203, 209.
Baudelaire-Dufays [Charles Baudelaire]. "Le musée classique du Bazar Bonne-Nouvelle." Le corsaire-satan (January 21, 1846) [reprinted in Y.-G. Le Dantec and C. Pichois, eds., "Baudelaire: Œuvres complètes," Paris, 1961, pp. 868–69; reprinted in English in J. Mayne, trans. and ed., "Art in Paris, 1845–1862: Salons and Other Exhibitions Reviewed by Charles Baudelaire," London, 1965, pp. 34–36], calls it admirable, but with a commonplace look reminding him of Duval-Lecamus, père.
?A. H. Delaunay. "Exhibition de l'association des artistes peintres, sculpteurs, architectes et graveurs." Journal des artistes (January 11, 1846), pp. 9–10 [reprinted in "Le baron Taylor, l'association des artistes et l'exposition du Bazar Bonne-Nouvelle en 1846," Fondation Taylor, 1995, p. 169].
T. Thoré. "Etudes sur la peinture française depuis la fin du 18° siècle: À propos de l'exposition de la Société des peintres . . . David . . ." Le constitutionnel (February 9, 1846) [reprinted in "Le baron Taylor, l'association des artistes et l'exposition du Bazar Bonne-Nouvelle en 1846," Fondation Taylor, 1995, pp. 206–8], observes that with David begins the reaction against the monarchy; calls Socrates a precursor of Christ; notes that the picture continues the philosophical tradition in French art of which Poussin is the best representative.
T. Thoré. "Etudes sur la peinture française depuis la fin du 18° siècle: À propos de l'exposition de la société des peintres. M. Ingres." Le constitutionnel (March 10, 1846) [reprinted in "Le baron Taylor, l'association des artistes et l'exposition du Bazar Bonne-Nouvelle en 1846," Fondation Taylor, 1995, pp. 222, 224], calls it an Apotheosis which impels the viewer to take the side of Socrates and of truth.
Delécluze. "Exposition des ouvrages de peinture dans la Galerie des beaux-arts, boulevard Bonne-Nouvelle, 22." Journal des débats (January 28, 1846) [reprinted in "Le baron Taylor, l'association des artistes et l'exposition du Bazar Bonne-Nouvelle en 1846," Fondation Taylor, 1995, pp. 237–38, 240], sees in this picture David's reaction to the Rococo and his return to the study of antiquity and the works of Le Sueur and Poussin.
Ch[arles]. Lenormant. "Exposition au profit des artistes malheureux." Le correspondant (1846) [reprinted in "Le baron Taylor, l'association des artistes et l'exposition du Bazar Bonne-Nouvelle en 1846," Fondation Taylor, 1995, pp. 277–78], comments on the animation of the figure of Socrates.
Miette de Villars. Mémoires de David, peintre et député à la Convention. Paris, 1850, pp. 36, 100, 189, 232, asserts that David was careless in preparing his canvases, citing this picture painted on a red canvas which showed through; states that Napoleon offered 80,000 francs for the picture; adds that the Trudaine heirs, not wanting to deprive the public, agreed to exhibit it for a year or two.
V[ictor]. Cousin. Lectures on the True, the Beautiful and the Good. New York, 1854, pp. 147–48.
E[tienne] J[ean] Delécluze. Louis David, son école & son temps. Paris, 1855, pp. 119, 348–49, 399 [reprinted in "Louis David, son école & et (sic) son temps," Paris, 1983], as perhaps David's most perfect composition, superior to his Horatii.
Henri Delaborde. "Peintres et sculpteurs modernes de la France. David et l'école française: 'Louis David, son école et son temps,' par M. Delécluze." Revue des deux mondes, 2nd ser., 10 (May 15, 1855), pp. 752–53 [reprinted in "Etudes sur les beaux-arts en France et en Italie," Paris, 1864, vol. 2, pp. 181, 183], admires its severe beauty and nobility but finds the execution cold.
Amédée Cantaloube. "Les dessins de Louis David." Gazette des beaux-arts 7 (1860), pp. 291–92, mentions drawings for the figures of the disciples, including Plato, in the Vinchon collection.
Ernest Chesneau. "Le mouvement moderne en peinture: Louis David." Revue européenne 15 (1861), pp. 82–83, 91, finds fault with this picture.
Ernest Chesneau. La Peinture française au XIXe siècle: Les Chefs d'école. Paris, 1862, pp. 11–14, 29, calls some poses unnatural, in particular that of Socrates, and emphasizes the reliance on Roman sculpture.
Charles Blanc. Histoire des peintres de toutes les écoles: École française. Vol. 2, Paris, 1862, pp. 6–7, 15, ill. p 13 ( the engraving by A. H. Cabasson and J. Quartley).
Jules Renouvier. Histoire de l'art pendant la Révolution. Paris, 1863, pp. 10, 76, 82, 85, 289, 291.
Théodore Lejeune. Guide théorique et pratique de l'amateur de tableaux. Vol. 1, Paris, 1864, p. 385.
Jean du Seigneur. "Appendice à la notice de P. Chaussard sur L. David." Revue universelle des arts 18 (1864), pp. 361–62, notes that it has been on view for some time ("pendant longtemps") at the Musée du Luxembourg.
L.-J. [J. L. Jules] David and Jacques Louis David. Notice sur le Marat de Louis David suivie de la liste de ses tableaux dressée par lui-même. Paris, 1867, pp. 35, 42, no. 26.
Paul Mantz. "Exposition en faveur de l'oeuvre des Alsaciens et Lorrains." Gazette des beaux-arts, 2nd ser., 10 (September 1874), pp. 200–202, ill. (engraving by Cabasson and Quartley), supposes in error that the Socrates exhibited in Paris in 1874 was a second smaller version and that it was also lent by David to the Salon of 1791.
L[ouis]. Clément de Ris. Les amateurs d'autrefois. Paris, 1877, p. 419.
J. L. Jules David. Le peintre Louis David, 1748–1825. Vol. 1, Souvenirs & documents inédits. Paris, 1880, pp. 41–42, 45–51, 637, notes that the desire to outdo Peyron, who had been commissioned to paint the same subject by the king, induced David to push this painting to an inappropriate degree of finish; doubts that the gesture of Socrates was the idea of Chénier; publishes an appreciation of the picture sent to the artist by "Le Courier Anglais," and identified in error as by Sir Joshua Reynolds; publishes a poem presented to Trudaine as well as three letters from Drouais, in which it is mentioned.
Théodore Gosselin. Histoire anecdotique des salons de peinture depuis 1673. Paris, 1881, p. 102.
J. L. Jules David. Le peintre Louis David, 1748–1825. Vol. 2, Suite d'eaux-fortes d'après ses oeuvres gravées par J. L. Jules David, son petit-fils. Paris, 1882, ill. (etching).
Ernest Choullier. "Les Trudaine." Revue de Champagne et de Brie 14 (1883), p. 468, states that it was painted for the elder Trudaine, who offered 2,000 écus but paid 3,000.
Léon Rosenthal. La peinture romantique. Paris, 1900, p. 7 n. 4, pp. 12, 102.
Olivier Merson. La peinture française au XVIIe siècle et au XVIIIe. 2nd ed. Paris, [1900], p. 326.
Léon Rosenthal. Louis David. Paris, [1904], pp. 33–36, 44, 165, ill. opp. p. 30, compares it to Poussin's "Testament of Eudamidas," but finds it lacks the humanity of the earlier work.
Charles Saunier. Louis David. Paris, 1904, p. 35.
J. J. Tikkanen. "Die Beinstellungen in der Kunstgeschichte." Acta Societatis Scientiarum Fennicæ 42, no. 1 (1912), p. 67.
Louis Hautecœur. Rome et la renaissance de l'antiquité à la fin du XVIIIe siècle. Paris, 1912, p. 162.
Léon Rosenthal. "L'exposition de David et ses élèves au Petit Palais." Revue de l'art ancien et moderne 33 (May 1913), pp. 340–41, observes that the puerility of intention and the porcelain-like surface were criticized by amateurs in 1787.
Charles Saunier. "David et son école au palais des beaux-arts de la ville de Paris (Petit Palais)." Gazette des beaux-arts, ser. 4, 9 (May 1913), pp. 373, 380 [misnumbered 273, 280], calls it severe and cold, although not to David's contemporaries and disciples.
Otto Grautoff. Nicolas Poussin: Sein Werk und sein Leben. Munich, 1914, vol. 1, p. 302, sees details from Poussin's "Washing of the Feet" in this picture and in that of Peyron.
Georges Grappe. "La psychologie de David." L'art vivant 1 (December 15, 1925), p. 29.
Raymond Régamey. "David." L'art vivant 1 (December 15, 1925), pp. 4–5, as from the moment David attained the maximum austerity.
André Salmon. "David révolutionnaire." L'art vivant 1 (December 15, 1925), p. 22.
William T. Whitley. Artists and Their Friends in England, 1700–1799. London, 1928, vol. 2, p. 101.
W. R. Valentiner. Jacques Louis David and the French Revolution. New York, 1929, p. 14, finds the composition too studied.
Richard Cantinelli. Jacques-Louis David, 1748–1825. Paris, 1930, pp. 24, 104, no. 52, pl. 18, observes that although the picture was an immense success in 1787, and can be compared with Poussin in its gravity and simplicity, it lacks his breadth and naturalism; states that it belongs to the vicomtesse Fleury.
Bryson Burroughs. "A Picture by Jacques Louis David." Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin 26 (June 1931), pp. 140–44, ill.
"'Perfect,' said Reynolds of Metropolitan's Masterpiece by David." Art Digest 5 (July 1, 1931), p. 11, ill.
E. Bonnardet. "Comment un Oratorien vint en aide à un grand peintre." Gazette des beaux-arts, 6th ser., 19 (1938), pp. 311–15, ill., assumes that the picture was commissioned in March 1786 by Trudaine de Montigny; publishes a letter dated April 8, 1786, by Jean Félicissme Adry, a classicist who, at David's request, wrote that he would study David's sketch ("contempler votre esquisse") and also suggested the choice of attitudes for Socrates's disciples: immobility for Plato, strong emotion for Crito, and grief for Apollodorus; notes that Adry also indicated ancient models for the portraits of Socrates and Plato, as well as for the composition—suggesting an engraving after a Roman marble with the Death of Meleager reproduced by Montfaucon (fig. 1) as an example.
Ch[arles]. P[icard]. "David et l'antique." Revue archaeologique 12 (July–December 1938), p. 112.
Klaus Holma. David, son evolution et son style. Paris, 1940, pp. 50–51, 55, 117–18 nn. 41–47, p. 126, fig. 9, compares the figures to antique statues; comments on Grautoff's comparison of the composition to Poussin's "Washing of the Feet", noting that David has not achieved Poussin's profundity; suggests the gestures of the disciples may have been inspired by Leonardo's Last Supper, and the gesture of Socrates by that of Zeus in Raphael's School of Athens; mentions a wash drawing with the vicomtesse Fleury.
Edgar Wind. "The Sources of David's 'Horaces'." Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes 4 (1940–41), p. 133 n. 6
, mentions that Diderot wrote the "Death of Socrates" as a pantomime.
Jacques Maret. David. Monaco, 1943, pp. 8, 117, no. 41, ill.
E[dgar]. W[ind]. "A Lost Article on David by Reynolds." Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes 6 (1943), pp. 223–24.
Gaston Brière. "Sur David portraitiste." Bulletin de la Société de l'Histoire de l'Art Français, années 1945–46, (1948), p. 179.
Michel Florisoone. David. Exh. cat., Orangerie des Tuileries. [Paris], 1948, pp. 49–50, no. M.O. 21, states that an analagous composition and a drawing are in the collection of the vicomtesse Fleury; mentions two pencil studies of the figures at the right in the Narbonne museum.
Michel Florisoone. "Premières conclusions à l'exposition David." Musées de France (November 1948), pp. 258–60.
Helen Rosenau. The Painter Jacques-Louis David. London, 1948, pp. 51, 72.
Douglas Cooper. "Jacques-Louis David: A Bi-Centenary Exhibition." Burlington Magazine 90 (October 1948), p. 279.
Art Treasures of the Metropolitan: A Selection from the European and Asiatic Collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Exh. cat., The Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, 1952, p. 232, no. 139, colorpl. 139.
Walter Friedlaender. David to Delacroix. New York, 1952, p. 17, fig. 4.
Jean Adhémar. David: Naissance du génie d'un peintre. [Monte Carlo?], 1953, pp. 42–43, 59–60, pls. 1, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, reproduces studies after classical monuments made by David in Rome, some relating to this painting.
Louis Hautecœur. Louis David. Paris, 1954, pp. 90–96, 98, 112, 116, 189, 219, 238, 285, 291, 294, 297, 301, 303, cites other examples of the subject in French painting; adds that Trudaine owned a sketch (11 x 18 in.) for the picture that was "seized during the Revolution at the same time as the painting".
Josephine L. Allen and Elizabeth E. Gardner. A Concise Catalogue of the European Paintings in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, 1954, p. 27.
Theodore Rousseau Jr. "A Guide to the Picture Galleries." Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin 12, part 2 (January 1954), pp. 6, 45, ill.
Charles Sterling. The Metropolitan Museum of Art: A Catalogue of French Paintings. Vol. 1, XV–XVIII Centuries. Cambridge, Mass., 1955, pp. 191–96, ill., states that Charles Michel Trudaine de la Sablière commissioned the painting; identifies the source as Plato's Phaedo; observes that the composition follows the tradition established by Poussin's "Death of Germanicus" and "Testament of Eudamidas"; notes that in 1795 the Committee of Public Instruction ordered an engraving of the picture as propaganda directed against Robespierre; states that "a smaller but exact repetition" belongs to the heirs of Viscountess de Fleury; provides extensive bibliography.
René Crozet. "David et l'architecture néo-classique." Gazette des beaux-arts, 6th ser., 45 (1955), p. 219.
Walter Pach. "The Heritage of J.-L. David." Gazette des beaux-arts, 6th ser., 45 (February 1955), pp. 103–4.
Jean Seznec. Essais sur Diderot et l'antiquité. Oxford, 1957, pp. 19–20, fig. 9, traces the subject in the literature and painting of the period, noting that it was chosen for the 1762 Prix de Rome competition; remarks that David and Peyron represent the moment from the pantomime conceived by Diderot in his "Traité de la poésie dramatique" of 1758.
Anita Brookner. "Aspects of Neo-Classicism in French Painting." Apollo 68 (September 1958), pp. 71–72, finds Peyron's Socrates a better composition but observes that David has a sense of theatre and a commitment to the events of his age.
Jack Lindsay. Death of the Hero: French Painting from David to Delacroix. London, 1960, pp. 55–57, 61, fig. 2, states that Plato is based on a beggar sketched by David in Rome.
André Salmon. "Le 'Socrate' de David et le 'Phédon' de Platon." Revue belge de philologie et d'histoire 40 (1962), pp. 90–111, ill. opp. p. 100, relates it to Plato's "Phaedo," observing that David follows the details of the setting faithfully but takes some liberties with the characters; discusses the Greek inscription, the chain, lyre, and lamp.
Edgar Munhall. "Les dessins de Greuze pour 'Septime Sévère'." L'Oeil no. 124 (April 1965), p. 59, fig. 16.
Robert Rosenblum. Transformations in Late Eighteenth Century Art. Princeton, 1967, pp. 73–76, 103, 125–26, fig. 74, notes that the combination of archaeological realism with the realism of the materials distinguishes David's vision from Poussin's.
Anita Brookner. "J. L. David — A Sentimental Classicist." Stil und Überlieferung in der Kunst des Abendlandes. Berlin, 1967, vol. 1, pp. 188–89, pl. I/45, states that iconographically the subject goes back no further than Diderot but that formally it has its origins in Poussin; finds the sacrifice "not so much stoical as eucharistic," with twelve disciples present.
H. W. Janson and Joseph Kerman. A History of Art and Music. Englewood Cliffs, N.J., [1968], pp. 158–59, fig. 202, find it "more 'Poussiniste' than Poussin himself," with the lighting and realistic detail derived from Caravaggio.
Hugh Honour. Neo-classicism. Baltimore, 1968, p. 72.
New York Times. "Rosenquist's Giant 'F-111' at The Metropolitan at Last." New York Times (February 16, 1968), p. 31.
Hilton Kramer. "Art: A New Hangar for Rosenquist's Jet-Pop 'F-111'." New York Times (February 17, 1968), p. 25, reviews New York 1968; finds its inclusion in the exhibition to support Rosenquist's work to be "an idea of stunning vulgarity and insensitivity".
John Canaday. "It Would Be Awfully Nice if We Were All Wrong About the Whole Thing." New York Times (February 25, 1968), p. D23.
Calvin Tomkins. Merchants and Masterpieces: The Story of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, 1970, p. 224 [rev., enl. ed., 1989].
Frank Anderson Trapp. The Attainment of Delacroix. Baltimore, [1970], p. 202, ill.
Robert L. Herbert. David, Voltaire, 'Brutus' and the French Revolution: An Essay in Art and Politics. New York, 1972, pp. 39, 48, 68, suggests that the frieze-like arrangement of the figures was inspired by the paintings of Herculaneum and Pompeii.
Peter Tomory. The Life and Art of Henry Fuseli. New York, 1972, p. 90.
Sarah B. Sherrill. "Current and Coming — Neoclassical Art." Antiques 102 (September 1972), p. 338, ill.
Christopher Neve. "Neo-Classicism's Icy Star." Country Life 152 (September 7, 1972), p. 568, fig. 1.
Jeffery Daniels. "A Man's World." Art and Artists 7 (November 1972), pp. 28–29, ill.
Arlette Sérullaz inThe Age of Neo-Classicism. Exh. cat., Royal Academy of Arts. [London], 1972, pp. xxvi, 41–42, 44, no. 63, pl. 2.
Hope Benedict Werness. "Essays on van Gogh's Symbolism." PhD diss., University of California, Santa Barbara, 1972, p. 125.
René Verbraeken. Jacques-Louis David jugé par ses contemporains et par la postérité. Paris, 1973, pp. 24–25, 28–30, 33, 46, 54–55, 80–82, 85 n. 58, pp. 87, 88 n. 11, pp. 94, 106, 108, 149 n. 54, pp. 150, 245.
et al. Dessins français du Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York: De David à Picasso. Exh. cat., Musée du Louvre. [Paris], 1973, p. 31, discuss the studies for this painting.
Daniel Wildenstein and Guy Wildenstein. Documents complémentaires au catalogue de l'oeuvre de Louis David. Paris, 1973, document nos. 162, 180, 188–89, 191–92, 195, 303, 327, 352, 1165, 1167, 1543, 1810, 1929, 1931, 1938, 2039, 2049 (20), 2062 (97), 2080; five sketches for the drapery, no. 2062 (97).
Anita Brookner. Jacques-Louis David: A Personal Interpretation. London, 1974, pp. 8, 11–14, pl. 1b.
Meir Stein. "Un chef-d'oeuvre retrouvé de Peyron." Bulletin de la Société de l'Histoire de l'Art Français, année 1973, (1974), pp. 235–37, observes that Peyron and David employed the same gesture for Socrates in their paintings.
Robert Herbert. "Baron Gros's Napoleon and Voltaire's Henri IV." The Artist and the Writer in France: Essays in Honour of Jean Seznec. Ed. Francis Haskell et al. Oxford, 1974, p. 67 n. 59, observes that David studied Moreau-le-Jeune's engraving of the subject, dated 1785, for Voltaire's "Socrate" [see Oberreuter-Kronabel 1986, pl. 2].
Robert Rosenblum. "'L'Épidémie d'Espagne' d'Aparicio au salon de 1806." Revue du Louvre et des musées de France 24 (1974), pp. 433, 435, ill.
Maria Evelina Zoltowska. "La première critique d'art écrite par un Polonais: 'Lettre d'un étranger sur le salon de 1787' de Stanislas Kostka Potocki." Dix-huitième siècle no. 6 (1974), pp. 335, 337, 339–40 [reprinted in "Stanislas Kostka Potocki, David, Denon et le Salon de 1787 . . . ," Antemurale 24 (1980), pp. 13, 16, 20, 45 n. 60, p. 49 nn. 89–92, p. 50 nn. 93–98, ill. p. 54].
Pierre Rosenberg. The Age of Louis XV: French Painting, 1710–1774. Exh. cat., Toledo Museum of Art. [Toledo], 1975, p. 33.
Seymour Howard. Sacrifice of the Hero: The Roman Years. A Classical Frieze by Jacques Louis David. Sacramento, 1975, p. 110 n. 88.
Charles McCorquodale. "From David to Delacroix." Art International 19 (June 15, 1975), p. 25.
Antoine Schnapper et al. inFrench Painting, 1774–1830: The Age of Revolution. Exh. cat., Detroit Institute of Arts. Detroit, 1975, pp. 40–42, 166, 359, 367–68, 411, 562, no. 32, ill. p. 82 [French ed., "De David à Delacroix: La peinture française de 1774 à 1830," Paris, 1974, pp. 40, 42–43, 168, 359, 367–68, 409, 555, no. 32, pl. 36].
René Huyghe. La Relève de l'imaginaire. La Peinture française au XIXe siècle: Réalisme, romantisme. Paris, 1976, pp. 71, 73, 120.
Diane Kelder. Aspects of "Official" Painting and Philosophic Art, 1789–1799. PhD diss., Bryn Mawr College. New York, 1976, pp. 18, 22–23, 35, 53–54, 121, 144, pl. 2.
Arnauld Brejon de Lavergnée inThe Eye of Thomas Jefferson. Exh. cat., National Gallery of Art. Washington, 1976, pp. xxviii, 154, 190, 377, no. 331, ill. (color).
Lydie Huyghe in René Huyghe. La Relève de l'imaginaire. La Peinture française au XIXe siècle: Réalisme, romantisme. Paris, 1976, p. 447.
Frances Suzman Jowell. Thoré-Bürger and the Art of the Past. PhD diss., Harvard University. New York, 1977, p. 125.
Michael Fried. "Francis Haskell, Anthony Levi, and Robert Shackleton, eds., 'The Artist and the Writer in France: Essays in Honour of Jean Seznec'." Art Bulletin 59 (June 1977), pp. 289, 291, sees David's history paintings of the 1780s as exemplifying extreme states of absorption in an action or state of mind, as well as pictorial autonomy from the world of the viewer.
George Levitine. Girodet-Trioson: An Iconographical Study. PhD diss., Harvard University. New York, 1978, pp. 8, 35–36, 70, states that Girodet helped David paint some of the figures in the background.
Thomas Crow. "The 'Oath of the Horatii' in 1785: Painting and Pre-revolutionary Radicalism in France." Art History 1 (December 1978), pp. 429–30.
Steven A. Nash. "David, Socrates and Caravaggism: A Source for David's 'Death of Socrates'." Gazette des beaux-arts, 6th ser., 91 (May–June 1978), pp. 202–6, fig. 1, discusses as David's point of departure a Death of Socrates by a seventeenth-century Caravaggesque painter then in the Giustiniani collection, Rome (fig. 2; later Kaiser Friedrich Museum, destroyed in World War II); publishes a drawing after the Giustiniani picture (fig. 3; Nationalmuseum, Stockholm), as "attributed to" David and almost certainly bound into David's album before he painted his Death of Socrates.
Bernard Dunstan. "Looking at Paintings." American Artist 43 (September 1979), pp. 64–65, ill. (black and white and color).
Howard Hibbard. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, 1980, p. 385, fig. 693 (color).
Anita Brookner. Jacques-Louis David. New York, 1980, pp. 29, 44, 46, 79–80, 82–86, 90, 99, 103, 112, 135, 167–68, fig. 43, as the epitome of French Neoclassical style.
Michael Fried. Absorption and Theatricality: Painting and Beholder in the Age of Diderot. Berkeley, 1980, pp. 136, 157, 160, 193 n. 81, p. 232 n. 60, p. 239 n. 102, p. 240 n. 108, comments on the "translation of the principal action away from the main axis (that of the vanishing point) as a means of retarding the viewer's grasp of what is taking place and thereby heightening the dramatic impact".
Michael Fried. "Representing Representation: On the Central Group in Courbet's 'Studio'." Art in America 69 (September 1981), p. 168.
Norman Bryson. Word and Image: French Painting of the Ancien Régime. Cambridge, 1981, pp. 205, 226, 233–35, 240, fig. 78, points out that "Socrates was a polemical figure in Enlightenment France because he raised the question of whether a high standard of morality could be achieved outside Christianity".
Philippe Bordes. "Dessins perdus de David, dont un pour 'la Mort de Socrate,' lithographiés par Debret." Bulletin de la Société de l'Histoire de l'Art Français, année 1979, (1981), pp. 179, 181–84, fig. 8, nn. 19–21, publishes as fig. 7 a lithograph (Musée des Beaux-Arts, Rennes) by David's pupil Jean-Baptiste Debret after a lost preparatory study.
Philip Conisbee. Painting in Eighteenth-Century France. Oxford, 1981, pp. 107–8, ill.
Meir Stein. "Et genfundet hovedværk af Peyron." Kunstmuseets Årsskrift 1977–1980 (1981), pp. 21–27, 30 nn. 31, 44.
Antoine Schnapper. David. English ed. New York, 1982, pp. 59, 72, 77, 80–84, 86, 100–101, 130, 174, fig. 39 [French ed., "David, témoin de son temps," Fribourg, Switzerland, 1980, pp. 59, 72–73, 76, 80–84, 86, 100–101, 128, 174, 178, fig. 39], draws attention to a sketch in David's Berlin album [Kupferstichkabinett, inv. 79 d 30a, folio 23] as a source for the gesture of Socrates.
Pierre Rosenberg and Udolpho van de Sandt. Pierre Peyron, 1744–1814. Neuilly-sur-Seine, 1983, pp. 124–26, fig. 113, state that when Trudaine commissioned this picture in March 1786, the subjects of pictures commissioned in the name of Louis XVI were already known; conclude that David suggested the subject and that in his rivalry with Peyron he put all his effort into the Socrates, neglecting a royal commission.
Philippe Bordes. Le Serment du Jeu de Paume de Jacques-Louis David: Le peintre, son milieu et son temps de 1789 à 1792. Paris, 1983, pp. 21–22, 95 n. 39, pp. 131–32, publishes the complete French text of the "courier anglais" 1787; states that Trudaine commissioned from David a Death of Socrates of the size favored by Poussin.
Luc de Nanteuil. Jacques-Louis David. New York, 1985, pp. 24, 58, 60, 63, 68, 94, 106, 132, colorpl. 12.
Philippe Ariès. Images of Man and Death. Cambridge, Mass., 1985, p. 102, fig. 157.
Thomas E. Crow. Painters and Public Life in Eighteenth-Century Paris. New Haven, 1985, pp. 215–16, 243–47, fig. 117, argues that the initiative for the choice of subject came from David, who wished to surpass Peyron effortlessly at the point of the latter's maximum strength".
Antoine Schnapper in1770–1830: Autour du Néo-Classicisme en Belgique. Ed. Denis Coekelberghs and Pierre Loze. Exh. cat., Musée Communal des Beaux-Arts d'Ixelles. [Brussels], 1985, p. 30.
Gabriele Oberreuter-Kronabel. Der Tod des Philosophen: Zum Sinngehalt eines Sterbebildtypus der französischen Malerei in der zweiten Hälfte des 18. Jahrhunderts. Munich, 1986, pp. 27–28, 33, 60–84, 91–94, 142–43 nn. 195, 206, p. 144 nn. 109, 211, p. 146 nn. 230, 232–33, p. 147 nn. 236, 244, p. 148 nn. 266–67, p. 149 nn. 268–69, p. 177, ill. on cover (detail), fig. 27, notes similarities to the engraving by Moreau le jeune (fig. 2) exhibited in the Salon of 1785; publishes entries from an "inventaire des objets reservés pour la Nation" from the Trudaine residence [Archives Nationales, Paris, F17 1267 (T, No. 190)] where this picture is no. 1 and no. 13 is "La première pensée de la mort de Socrate. esquisse peinte composition de 9 figures. Sur toile, hauteur 11 pouces sur 18."; identifes a Greek votive relief in the Vatican Museums (fig. 32) as the source for the drawing by David that inspired Socrates' gesture.
Yvonne Korshak. "'Paris and Helen' by Jacques Louis David: Choice and Judgment on the Eve of the French Revolution." Art Bulletin 69 (March 1987), pp. 102–3, fig. 2.
Albert Boime. A Social History of Modern Art. Vol. 1, Art in an Age of Revolution, 1750–1800. Chicago, 1987, pp. 405, 407–11, 417, 430, fig. 5.3.
Jean-Jacques Lévêque. L'art et la Révolution française, 1789–1804. Neuchâtel, Switzerland, 1987, pp. 220–21, ill. (color).
Thomas Puttfarken. "Whose public?" Burlington Magazine 129 (June 1987), p. 399.
Donna Marie Hunter. "Second Nature: Portraits by J.-L. David, 1769–1792." PhD diss., Harvard University, 1988, pp. 230, 273 n. 14, pp. 336, 348, 425–26 nn. 95–97, notes that Potocki's "praise for a single artist coupled with a harsh assessment of the French school at large outraged certain academicians".
Yvonne Korshak. "Discussion: An Exchange on Jacques Louis David's 'Paris and Helen'." Art Bulletin 70 (September 1988), p. 520.
Philippe Bordes. David. Paris, [1988], pp. 49, 52, 110, ill. pp. 50–51 (color).
Régis Michel. David: L'art et le politique. Paris, 1988, pp. 44–47, 170, ill. (color, overall and details).
Fred Licht inGoya and the Spirit of Enlightenment. Exh. cat., Museo Nacional del Prado. Boston, 1988, p. lxxvii, fig. 1.
Philippe Bordes and Régis Michel, ed. Aux armes & aux arts!: Les arts de la Révolution, 1789–1799. Paris, 1988, pp. 13, 15, 26, 36.
Norman Bryson. "Centres and Margins in David." Word & Image 4 (January–March 1988), pp. 44, 48, fig. 1.
Dorothy Johnson. "Corporality and Communication: The Gestural Revolution of Diderot, David, and 'The Oath of the Horatii'." Art Bulletin 71 (March 1989), p. 111.
Gilles Néret. David: La terreur et la vertu. Paris, 1989, pp. 32, 35, 139.
Bernard Noël. David. Paris, 1989, pp. 20, 24, 26, ill.
Jean-Jacques Lévêque. La vie et l'oeuvre de Jacques-Louis David. Paris, 1989, pp. 82, 84, ill. p. 85 (color).
Brigitte Gallini inLa Révolution française et l'Europe, 1789–1799. Exh. cat., Galeries nationales du Grand Palais. Paris, 1989, p. 293, comments on the general preference for history subjects during the revolutionary period following the lead of David.
Warren Roberts. Jacques-Louis David, Revolutionary Artist: Art, Politics, and the French Revolution. Chapel Hill, 1989, pp. 19, 32, 34, 111, 123, 204, fig. 6, discusses the picture in the context of the société Trudaine.
Alan Wintermute in1789: French Art During the Revolution. Ed. Alan Wintermute. Exh. cat., Colnaghi. New York, 1989, pp. 112, 114, 116–19, fig. 1, states that the Princeton replica was clearly made in David's shop and proposes Girodet as the copyist.
Carol S. Eliel in1789: French Art During the Revolution. Ed. Alan Wintermute. Exh. cat., Colnaghi. New York, 1989, p. 58, mentions the depiction of the scroll and beakers on the floor as examples of David's interest in texture and effects of light.
Jean-François Heim, Claire Béraud, and Philippe Heim. Les salons de peinture de la Révolution française, 1789–1799. Paris, 1989, p. 174, ill. p. 175.
Nina Athanassoglou-Kallmyer. French Images from the Greek War of Independence, 1821–1830: Art and Politics under the Restoration. New Haven, 1989, pp. 39, 157.
Antoine Schnapper inJacques-Louis David, 1748–1825. Exh. cat., Musée du Louvre, Paris and Musée National du Château, Versailles. Paris, 1989, pp. 18–19, 21, 122–23, 160, 178–81, 186, 197–98, 329–30, 571–73, 577, 601, 635, fig. 44, publishes a newly discovered drawing signed and dated 1782 (no. 76, private collection), which he considers to be evidence that David attempted the subject before Trudaine's commission; observes that the date is supported by the fact that the verso of the drawing depicts Horace and Camille in the poses in which they appear in a 1781 drawing (cat. no. 52); notes that Debret's 1844 lithograph follows the 1782 drawing.
Stephanie Carroll. "Reciprocal Representations: David & Theater." Art in America 78 (May 1990), pp. 203, 259, states that the Horatii and the Socrates were staged as "tableaux vivants" on October 31, 1789, at the Théâtre Ombres Chinoises "in what contemporary accounts called parodies".
E. D. Lilley. "Jacques-Louis David and Joshua Reynolds: A Note and a Query." British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies Bulletin no. 21 (Summer 1990), pp. 10–13.
Philippe Bordes. "Paris and Versailles: David." Burlington Magazine 132 (February 1990), p. 154, calls the signature and date of 1782 on the recently discovered drawing additions.
Philippe Bordes Institute of Fine Arts, New York University. Lecture. October 28, 1991, suggests that the print dealer John Boydell was the author of the praise-filled review of October 2, 1787, that appeared in Journal of the World; suggests that Reynolds translated the review and mailed it to David.
Colnaghi in America: A Survey to Commemorate the First Decade of Colnaghi New York. Ed. Nicholas H. J. Hall. New York, 1992, p. 33.
Colin B. Bailey inThe Loves of the Gods: Mythological Painting from Watteau to David. Exh. cat., Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth. New York, 1992, pp. 509–10.
José-Luis de Los Llanos. Fragonard et le dessin français au XVIIIe siècle dans les collections du Petit Palais. Exh. cat., Petit Palais. Paris, 1992, p. 100.
Philippe Bordes. "Jacques-Louis David's Anglophilia on the Eve of the French Revolution." Burlington Magazine 134 (August 1992), pp. 482, 484, 487, 490, ill., publishes the entire original text of the October 2, 1787, Boydell article in The World, explaining that the letter attributed incorrectly to Reynolds is a translation of Boydell's piece.
Patrick Matthiesen and Guy Stair Sainty. Fifty Paintings, 1535–1825, to Celebrate Ten Years of Collaboration between The Matthiesen Gallery, London, and Stair Sainty Matthiesen, New York. London, 1993, pp. 186, 194.
Gerald Carr. "David, Boydell and 'Socrates': A Mixture of Anglophilia, Self-Promotion and the Press." Apollo 137 (May 1993), pp. 307–8, 310–13, 315, fig. 1 (color), attributes the October 2, 1787, article to Boydell; reviews the circumstances which caused David to cancel his visit to London.
Dorothy Johnson. Jacques-Louis David: Art in Metamorphosis. Princeton, 1993, pp. 66–68, 86, 97, fig. 37.
Garry Apgar. "Jacques-Louis David (1748–1825) . . . A Critical View." Apollo 137 (May 1993), pp. 304, 306.
Edouard Pommier. "David et le patrimoine." David contre David. Ed. Régis Michel. Paris, 1993, vol. 1, p. 568.
Seymour Howard. "Crise et classicisme: David et Rome." David contre David. Ed. Régis Michel. Paris, 1993, vol. 1, p. 50.
Udolpho van de Sandt. "David pour David: 'Jamais on ne me fera rien faire au détriment de ma gloire'." David contre David. Ed. Régis Michel. Paris, 1993, vol. 1, pp. 130, 137 n. 35.
Colin Bailey. "'Les grands, les cordons bleus': Les clients de David avant la Révolution." David contre David. Ed. Régis Michel. Paris, 1993, vol. 1, pp. 145, 151, fig. 65.
Michael Fried. "David et l'antithéâtralité." David contre David. Ed. Régis Michel. Paris, 1993, vol. 1, pp. 207–8, 211, 216, 223 n. 17, fig. 65.
Lina Propeck. "David et le portrait du roi." David contre David. Ed. Régis Michel. Paris, 1993, vol. 1, p. 309.
Philippe Bordes. "'Brissotin enragé, ennemi de Robespierre': David, conventionnel et terroriste." David contre David. Ed. Régis Michel. Paris, 1993, vol. 1, p. 343, fig. 65.
Alex Potts. "De Winckelmann à David: L'incarnation des idéaux politiques." David contre David. Ed. Régis Michel. Paris, 1993, vol. 1, fig. 65; vol. 2, pp. 649, 652.
Neil McWilliam. "Les David du XIXe siècle." David contre David. Ed. Régis Michel. Paris, 1993, vol. 2, p. 1132 n. 14.
Hubertus Kohle. "La modernité du passé: David, la peinture d'histoire et la théorie néo-classique." David contre David. Ed. Régis Michel. Paris, 1993, vol. 1, fig. 65; vol. 2, pp. 1095, 1100–06, 1110.
Adrian Rifkin. "Un effet David? Les mots de l'art et le statut de l'artiste." David contre David. Ed. Régis Michel. Paris, 1993, vol. 1, fig. 65; vol. 2, p. 1085.
Alvar González-Palacios. "Jacques-Louis David: Le décor de l'antiquité." David contre David. Ed. Régis Michel. Paris, 1993, vol. 1, fig. 65; vol 2, pp. 938–39.
Antoine Schnapper. "David et l'argent." David contre David. Ed. Régis Michel. Paris, 1993, vol. 2, pp. 915, 917.
Sylvain Laveissière. "'Date obolum Picturae': Prud'hon, David du pauvre?" David contre David. Ed. Régis Michel. Paris, 1993, vol. 1, fig. 65; vol. 2, p. 904.
Klaus Herding. "La notion de temporalité chez David à partir du Marat." David contre David. Ed. Régis Michel. Paris, 1993, vol. 1, pp. 434, 436.
Alain Pougetoux. "'Un élève de David et son plus favori': Georges Rouget." David contre David. Ed. Régis Michel. Paris, 1993, vol. 1, fig. 65; vol. 2, p. 885.
Thomas E. Crow. "Girodet et David pendant la Révolution: Un dialogue artistique et politique." David contre David. Ed. Régis Michel. Paris, 1993, vol. 2, p. 854.
Jean-Rémy Mantion. "David en toutes lettres." David contre David. Ed. Régis Michel. Paris, 1993, vol. 1, fig. 65; vol. 2, pp. 809, 812–13.
Norman Bryson. "David et le 'Gender'." David contre David. Ed. Régis Michel. Paris, 1993, vol. 1, fig. 65; vol. 2, p. 722.
Thomas E. Crow. "A Male Republic: Bonds between Men in the Art and Life of Jacques-Louis David." Femininity and Masculinity in Eighteenth-Century Art and Culture. Ed. Gill Perry and Michael Rossington. Manchester, 1994, pp. 205, 211–13, 217 n. 18, fig. 35, identifies this painting as one in which Greek same-sex "eros" is central; describes it as a tribute to "one ideal of leisured, disinterested masculine fellowship," and links this ideal to the egalitarian environment of David's studio in the 1780s.
Gill Perry and Michael Rossington. "Introduction." Femininity and Masculinity in Eighteenth-Century Art and Culture. Ed. Gill Perry and Michael Rossington. Manchester, 1994, p. 8.
Bruno Foucart in "La critique artistique devant l'exposition du Bazar Bonne-Nouvelle." Le baron Taylor, l'Association des artistes et l'exposition du Bazar Bonne-Nouvelle en 1846. Paris, 1995, pp. 26, 29, ill. p. 43.
Thomas E. Crow. Emulation: Making Artists in Revolutionary France. New Haven, 1995, pp. 95–103, 108, 140, 183, 316 nn. 50, 54, 60, colorpl. 72, argues that Girodet "was called in to paint several of the secondary figures".
Heino R. Möller. "Jacques-Louis David, Johannes Grützke und der Sterbende Sokrates." Zeitschrift für Ästhetik und Allgemeine Kunstwissenschaft 40 (1995), pp. 249–71, fig. 1, analyzes it at length in comparison with Johannes Grützke's 1975 painting of the same subject.
Katharine Baetjer. European Paintings in The Metropolitan Museum of Art by Artists Born Before 1865: A Summary Catalogue. New York, 1995, p. 385, ill.
Michael Kimmelman. "At the Met with Roy Lichtenstein: Disciple of Color and Line, Master of Irony." New York Times (March 31, 1995), p. C27.
Michael Kimmelman. "At the Met with Leon Golub and Nancy Spero." New York Times (January 5, 1996), p. C5.
Garry Apgar. "David and After." Art in America 84 (February 1996), pp. 25, 27, 29.
Joseph Geiger. "Giambettino Cignaroli's Deaths of Cato and of Socrates." Zeitschrift für Kunstgeschichte 59, no. 2 (1996), p. 275 n. 41.
Valérie Bajou inLa Grèce en révolte: Delacroix et les peintres français, 1815–1848. Exh. cat., Musée des Beaux-Arts, Bordeaux. Paris, 1996, p. 270.
Dorothy Johnson. The Farewell of Telemachus and Eucharis. Los Angeles, 1997, pp. 10, 12, fig. 10.
Sophie Monneret. David et le néoclassicisme. Paris, 1998, pp. 73, 78; ill. in color pp. 76–77, as a posthumous homage to Diderot.
Luc Ferry. Le sens du beau. Paris, 1998, p. 88, fig. 49 (color).
Michael Kimmelman. Portraits: Talking with Artists at the Met, the Modern, the Louvre and Elsewhere. New York, 1998, pp. 90–92, ill. [text similar to Kimmelman 1995].
[Robert B. Simon]. Figure and Fantasy in French Painting, 1650–1800. Exh. cat., Berry-Hill Galleries. New York, 1999, p. 64.
Simon Lee. David. London, 1999, pp. 70, 99–105, 108, 116, 144, 217, colorpls. 66–67, describes the unfinished replica in Princeton as probably painted with Girodet's assistance.
Alan Hyde. Our Homosocial Constitution: Some Sexual and Political Themes in Paintings Admired by the Founding Fathers. June 1999, pp. 3, 7, 12–13, 23 n. 49, 27 n. 90 [see http://www.andromeda.rutgers.edu/~hyde/homo.htm].
Mary Vidal. "David's 'Telemachus and Eucharis': Reflections on Love, Learning, and History." Art Bulletin 82 (December 2000), p. 717 n. 12.
Warren Roberts. Jacques-Louis David and Jean-Louis Prieur: Revolutionary Artists. Albany, 2000, pp. 240–41.
William Vaughan in "Terror and the 'Tabula Rasa': David's 'Marat' in its Pictorial Context." Jacques-Louis David's "Marat". Ed. William Vaughan and Helen Weston. Cambridge, 2000, p. 84.
Andrea Kirsh and Rustin S. Levenson. Seeing Through Paintings: Physical Examination in Art Historical Studies. New Haven, 2000, p. 262.
Claudia Einecke inFinal Moments: Peyron, David, and "The Death of Socrates". Exh. cat.Omaha, 2001, pp. 20–25 nn. 5–6, pp. 29, 31, 33, 35, 42, fig. 3, describes this picture's "'semaphoric' figures whose postures and gestures 'signal' emotions rather than enact them".
Pierre Rosenberg inFinal Moments: Peyron, David, and "The Death of Socrates". Exh. cat.Omaha, 2001, pp. 5, 10–12, fig. 3.
Pierre Rosenberg in "David e la collezione Giustiniani." Caravaggio e i Giustiniani: Toccar con mano una collezione del Seicento. Ed. Silvia Danesi Squarzina. Exh. cat., Palazzo Giustiniani. Milan, 2001, p. 104.
Giovanna Capitelli in "La collezione Giustiniani tra Settecento e Ottocento: Fortuna e dispersione." Caravaggio e i Giustiniani: Toccar con mano una collezione del Seicento. Ed. Silvia Danesi Squarzina. Exh. cat., Palazzo Giustiniani. Milan, 2001, p. 117.
Robert Rosenblum. "David and Monsiau: Bonaparte tames Bucephalus." Mélanges en hommage à Pierre Rosenberg: Peintures et dessins en France et en Italie, XVIIe–XVIIIe siècles. Paris, 2001, p. 401.
Dorothy Johnson. "Delacroix's Dialogue with the French Classical Tradition." The Cambridge Companion to Delacroix. Ed. Beth S. Wright. Cambridge, 2001, p. 114, fig. 37, as one of the best known eighteenth-century deathbed images that derived from seventeenth-century French classical prototypes.
René Démoris and Florence Ferran. La peinture en procès: l'invention de la critique d'art au siècle des Lumières. Paris, 2001, pp. 316, 392.
Kenneth Lapatin. "Picturing Socrates." A Companion to Socrates. Ed. Sara Ahbel-Rappe and Rachana Kamtekar. Malden, Mass., 2001, pp. 141–43, 148, fig. 8.34.
Stephen Bann. "Entre philosophe et critique: Victor Cousin, Théophile Gautier et l'art pour l'art." L'invention de la critique d'art. Ed. Pierre-Henry Frangne and Jean-Marc Poinsot. Rennes, 2002, pp. 138–39.
Pierre Rosenberg and Louis-Antoine Prat. Jacques-Louis David, 1748–1825: Catalogue raisonné des dessins. Milan, 2002, vol. 1, pp. 50, 67, 70–72, 79, 88, 97–101, 109–10, 182, 226, 344, 429, 454, 514, 560, 657, under nos. 52, 81, 81a, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 984, fig. 52b; vol. 2, pp. 756, 1173, 1191, 1214, 1221, discuss related drawings.
Steven Conn. "Narrative Trauma and Civil War History Painting, or Why are These Pictures so Terrible." History and Theory 41 (December 2002), p. 24.
Bennard B. Perlman. American Artists, Authors, and Collectors: The Walter Pach Letters, 1906–1958. Albany, 2002, pp. 17, 71, 119, 124, 126–27, 130, 349, ill. p. 125, publishes correspondence between Walter Pach and Bryson Burroughs concerning Pach's role in securing this painting for The Met.
Catherine Guégan. "Du héros et du grand homme: Alexandre, Socrate et les critiques du Salon de 1787." Orages: Litterature et Culture 1760–1830 2 (2003), pp. 28, 34–36, 39–42, ill.
Anthony F. Janson. "Review of ‘Nineteenth-Century European Art’ by Petra ten-Doesschate Chu." Nineteenth-Century Art Worldwide 2 (Autumn 2003) [http://www.19thc-artworldwide.org/autumn03/265-nineteenth-century-european-art-by-petra-ten-doesschate-chu], criticizes Chu for failing to mention how the picture “departs from historical reality” and “the fact that Socrates himself was already seen as a martyr for truth in Greek times”.
Jean-Pierre Poirier. La science et l'amour: Madame Lavoisier. Paris, 2004, p. 105.
Margaret A. Oppenheimer. The French Portrait: Revolution to Restoration. Exh. cat., Smith College Museum of Art. Northampton, Mass., 2005, p. 53.
Dorothy Medlin in "André Morollet and the Trudaines." Social history; Morellet; Social Anthropology; History of the Book. Oxford, 2005, p. 122 n. 39.
Katharine Baetjer inThe Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York: Chefs-d'œuvre de la peinture européenne. Exh. cat., Fondation Pierre Gianadda. Martigny, 2006, pp. 16–17 [Catalan ed., Barcelona, 2006, p. 17].
Pierre Rosenberg. Only in America: One Hundred Paintings in American Museums Unmatched in European Collections. Milan, 2006, pp. 17, 156, ill. (color).
Petra ten-Doesschate Chu. Nineteenth-Century European Art. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J., 2006, p. 60, fig. 2-19.
Darcy Grimaldo Grigsby. "The First Painter and the Prix Décennaux of 1810." David after David: Essays on the Later Work. Ed. Mark Ledbury. Williamstown, Mass., 2007, p. 21.
Michel Hilaire in Laure Pellicer and Michel Hilaire. François-Xavier Fabre (1766–1837): De Florence à Montpellier. Exh. cat., Musée Fabre, Montpellier. Paris, 2008, p. 248–50, fig. 1 (color), includes it in a discussion of Fabre's 1802 Socrates (Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Geneva).
Mary Sprinson de Jesús. "Adélaïde Labille-Guiard's Pastel Studies of the Mesdames de France." Metropolitan Museum Journal 43 (2008), pp. 159, 164.
Joyce Carol Polistena. The Religious Paintings of Eugène Delacroix (1798–1863): The Initiator of the Style of Modern Religious Art. Lewiston, New York, 2008, p. 54.
Satish Padiyar. "Who Is Socrates? Desire and Subversion in David's 'Death of Socrates' (1787)." Representations 102 (Spring 2008), pp. 27–52, fig. 1.
Marie-Odile van Caeneghem. "Les Lavoisier par Jacques Louis David: Un tableau prémonitoire." Sparsae, hors série, no 4. (2009), p. 73.
Earl A. Powell III in Philip Conisbee. French Paintings of the Fifteenth through the Eighteenth Century. Washington, 2009, p. XI.
Horton A. Johnson. "The Poison in the Cup." Pharos (Spring 2011), pp. 27–29, ill. (color).
Lucile Roche. "Le 'Portrait de M. et Mme Lavoisier' par Jacques-Louis David [1788]: Les antinomies du paraître." Master's thesis, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, 2011–12, pp. 6, 9 n. 26, pp. 11, 72 n. 115, pp. 83, 91–92, 94, 98 n. 107, pp. 103, 105, 111, 113, fig. 124.
Marie-Josèphe Bonnet. Liberté, égalité, exclusion: femmes peintres en révolution, 1770–1804. Paris, 2012, pl. 3 (Martini's engraving).
Antoine Schnapper. David, la politique et la révolution. Paris, 2013, pp. 58–61, colorpl. II, ill. pp. 74–75 (color).
Philippe Bordes. Hilaire Ledru (Oppy, 19 février 1769–Paris, 2 mai 1840): Indigence et Honneur. Paris, [2015], pp. 14, 24.
Eugenio Riccòmini. 1789 e dintorni: L'arte negli anni della rivoluzione francese. Bologna, 2015, p. 59, fig. 50 (color).
Revolution. Christie's, New York. April 13, 2016, unpaginated, under no. 11.
Kathryn Calley Galitz. The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Masterpiece Paintings. New York, 2016, pp. 426, 429, no. 308, ill. pp. 322, 426 (color).
Mehdi Korchane inDe l'alcôve aux barricades, de Fragonard à David: Dessins de l'École des Beaux-Arts. Ed. Emmanuelle Brugerolles. Exh. cat., Fondation Custodia. Paris, 2016, p. 160.
Louis-Antoine Prat. "Quelques nouveaux dessins de Jacques-Louis David (1748–1825)." De David à Delacroix: Du tableau au dessin. Ed. Pierre Rosenberg. Paris, 2016, pp. 111–12.
Yuriko Jackall inAmerica Collects Eighteenth-Century French Painting. Exh. cat., National Gallery of Art. Washington, 2017, pp. 7, 10, 25 n. 3, p. 297.
Philippe Bordes inAmerica Collects Eighteenth-Century French Painting. Exh. cat., National Gallery of Art. Washington, 2017, pp. 106–8, 110, 112, 118 nn. 29, 30, 36, 42, fig. 5 (color).
Melissa Hyde inAmerica Collects Eighteenth-Century French Painting. Exh. cat., National Gallery of Art. Washington, 2017, p. 85, 89 n. 108.
Humphrey Wine. The Eighteenth Century French Paintings. London, 2018, pp. 21, 142.
Sébastien Allard and Côme Fabre inDelacroix. Exh. cat., The Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, 2018, p. 100.
Neil Jeffares. Minutiae at the Met. March 29, 2019, unpaginated [https://neiljeffares.wordpress.com/2019/03/29/minutiae-at-the-met/].
Neil Jeffares. "Foreign Legion." Apollo 189 (April 2019), p. 102.
Katharine Baetjer. French Paintings in The Metropolitan Museum of Art from the Early Eighteenth Century through the Revolution. New York, 2019, pp. 306–17, 379, no. 106, ill. pp. 14, 307–8 (color, overall and details).
Charlotte Hale in Katharine Baetjer. French Paintings in The Metropolitan Museum of Art from the Early Eighteenth Century through the Revolution. New York, 2019, p. 315.
Carol Santoleri in Katharine Baetjer. French Paintings in The Metropolitan Museum of Art from the Early Eighteenth Century through the Revolution. New York, 2019, p. 31.
Katharine Baetjer and Joan R. Mertens. "The Founding Decades." Making The Met, 1870–2020. Ed. Andrea Bayer with Laura D. Corey. Exh. cat., The Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, 2020, pp. 43, 258 n. 22.
Colin B. Bailey. "Review of Baetjer 2019." Burlington Magazine 163 (May 2021), pp. 470, 472–73, fig. 3 (color).
Silvia A. Centeno et al. "Discovering the Evolution of Jacques-Louis David’s Portrait of Antoine-Laurent and Marie-Anne Pierrette Paulze Lavoisier." Heritage Science 9 (August 30, 2021) [https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-021-00551-y], notes that "admixtures of vermillion to achieve deep blacks and browns" have been observed.
David Pullins, Dorothy Mahon, and Silvia A. Centeno. "The Lavoisiers by David: Technical Findings on Portraiture at the Brink of Revolution." Burlington Magazine 163 (September 2021), p. 787.
Perrin Stein inJacques Louis David: Radical Draftsman. Ed. Perrin Stein. Exh. cat., The Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, 2022, dustjacket, pp. 15, 22, 111, 132, 143–49, 156, 158, 167–68, 170, 205–6, 241, 267 n. 9, p. 276 nn. 1, 4, 5, 9, p. 277 nn. 17, 19, 21–22, 25, 31–35, no. 35, ill. p. 143 (color), figs. 89–91 (MA-XRF distribution maps and infrared reflectogram), notes that the off-center vanishing point above Plato's head reinforces the primacy of his role in the story; discusses how David shifted figures in his compositional studies to "incorporate elements from Plato's account"; proposes that due to the differences between the compositional study (2015.149) and the picture, there were likely additional studies executed.
Benjamin Perronet inJacques Louis David: Radical Draftsman. Ed. Perrin Stein. Exh. cat., The Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, 2022, p. 97, relates the figure of Plato to that of a seated man in album no. 6, leaf 3.
Daniella Berman inJacques Louis David: Radical Draftsman. Ed. Perrin Stein. Exh. cat., The Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, 2022, p. 173.
Michael Prodger. "Opening Acts." Apollo 195 (February 2022), pp. 48, 51, fig. 3 (color).
Jason Farago. "The Dangerous Beauty of Jacques-Louis David." New York Times (February 17, 2022), ill. (color, installation view) [https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/17/arts/design/met-museum-drawings-french-revolution.html].
Anne Higonnet. "Disney Plus: Revolt and Rococo at The Met." Artforum (March 2, 2022) [https://www.artforum.com/slant/revolt-and-rococo-at-the-met-88038].
Billy Anania. "Was Jacques Louis David Really That Radical?" Hyperallergic (March 10, 2022) [https://hyperallergic.com/712955/was-jacques-louis-david-really-that-radical/].
Philip Kennicott. "A Master of Propaganda, Artist Jacques Louis David Helped Sell Frenchmen on the Revolution." Washington Post (March 24, 2022), ill. (color) [https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/03/24/jacques-louis-david-met-museum-exhibition/].
Satish Padiyar. "Rarely Appealing as Autonomous Works, Jacques-Louis David's Drawings Were Instrumental in Preparing His Large History Paintings." Burlington Magazine 164 (May 2022), pp. 493–94.
Colin B. Bailey. "A Master at Work." New York Review of Books (May 12, 2022), p. 56.
A view of the Salon was engraved by Pietro Antonio Martini (Italian, 1738–1797) after Johann Heinrich Ramberg (German, 1763–1840), Exposition au Salon du Louvre en 1787 (49.50.244). David’s painting was engraved by Jean Massard (1740–1822) and by the artist’s grandson J. L. Jules David; also by Charles Normand, W. Cooke, and A. H. Cabasson [del.] and J. Quartley [sc.]. A lithograph was prepared by Jean Julien Deltil.
Technical examination of Jacques Louis David’s masterpiece reveals that the refinements seen in the artist’s preparatory drawings didn’t end when he began painting—rather, they continued through all stages of its execution.
Chief Digital Officer Loic Tallon reflects on the impact The Met's Open Access initiative has had in making the Museum's collection one of the most accessible on the internet.
Curator Keith Christiansen highlights the aspects of Valentin de Boulogne's work that Neoclassical painter Jacques Louis David included in his own pictures.
Assistant Curator Allison Rudnick presents this fall's highlights in the ongoing Work of the Week series celebrating the Department of Drawings and Prints' remarkable collection.
Jacques Louis David (French, Paris 1748–1825 Brussels)
ca. 1786
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