Socrates and Diotime

Socrates and Diotime by Jacques-Louis David is a powerful graphite drawing executed on laid paper, dating from approximately 1775 to 1780. This significant early work captures the philosophical fervor characteristic of the artist's developing Neoclassical style. Executed by the foremost French painter of his generation, this drawing demonstrates David's meticulous study of classical narrative and figure composition. The choice of medium allows for sharp definition and dramatic chiaroscuro, highlighting the intense, intellectual nature of the scene.

The subject matter derives from Plato’s Symposium, depicting the discussion between the philosopher Socrates and the priestess Diotime of Mantinea, who is instructing him on the nature of Eros (love) and the ascent toward eternal beauty. David often turned to ancient Greek and Roman history for moral and compositional inspiration, reflecting the intellectual climate categorized by the period 1751 to 1775, just prior to the great political upheavals of the era. This preparatory study, likely a stage in planning for a larger, unrealized painting, shows David mastering the classical idiom, focusing intently on expressive gesture and monumental drapery that would become hallmarks of his mature style.

As a surviving drawing, this piece offers crucial insight into David's working methods and compositional planning before he committed to oil on canvas. The detail preserved in the lines of Socrates and Diotime confirms David’s foundational role in the establishment of European Neoclassicism. This important piece of French cultural heritage is housed in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. While the original drawing remains preserved under museum conditions, the enduring popularity and historical importance of David’s classical compositions means that high-quality prints of this masterwork are frequently made available to the public through resources associated with public domain art collections worldwide.