The Death of Socrates: How To Read A Painting

[hopezhang]

The interpretation that it is the projection of Plato's memory is brilliant!

[pjbj]

pretty confident that everyone went when he said that it was a projection of Plato's memory

[jasperyoung]

As a philosophy major, I have seen this painting countless of times. Embarrassingly, I never took the time to marvel and decipher the message it has to offer. The presentation of the painting as a painful memory of Plato is one of the most beautiful thing I’ve learned in a long time.

[miguelnavarro]

When you said that the image seemed to explode from Plato's head and suggested it being a memory, I went:

Fucking beautiful.

[Bexx]

this is why I love YouTube. i would never have been exposed to this otherwise. i never understood the hype around art, but broken down like it is in this video, I can see the depth and layers. w/o YouTube, I wouldn't be able to expand my knowledge and understanding. I wouldn't know how to begin deconstructing something that, to me, aprears flat at first glance. I'm so thankful for nerdwriter, and the platform that allows me access to it.

[beinerthchitivamachado]

I can't believe I just watched this for free.

[YD-rugi]

Now I get why people stare at art pieces for so long.
Just can't look away once that train of thought emerges.
Connecting the dots, making out new meanings, birthing new ideas, feeling inspired, childish and curious.
I felt it all and more while you talked about it.

Thank you for making this, it made me realize how art is so much more than what meets the eye. So truly beautiful!

[anasarfiii]

Despite the hard time back then, Socrates never skipped leg days

[sedenzespiritu]

I still get goosebumps listening to this man's explanation.

[quietdemon]

Wow this blew my mind I never realised how an entire story could be told with a non moving image

[rocniho]

Socrates never missed a day in gym ...

[aarondouglas]

Not sure how I ended up here, but I suddenly have an interest in art!

[zvonimirtosic]

1. Point not mentioned are the shackles on the floor; Socrates freed of them, in body and in soul, and yet they somewhat eerily "wrap" around the feet of a man, a representative of the lies and false accusations of the state, who gives Socrates deadly poison. That is, those who condemn free and innocent man to death, are already enslaved in the culture of death, now and in afterlife.
2. Look at the set: it is Plato's cave. Few look towards the light, and those in deepest despair, have turned back to the light, looking at walls in deep shadows.
3. The lyre under Socrates' knee; he is Orpheus now descending into afterlife, his death is a song which will free our existence if we follow him and his example.
4. The oil lamp on top of a high post, the lamp and the post cast a diffused shadow on the wall. Let's see what is happening there: the lamp has no flame on it, and it is not casting any light from its position. Instead, smoke comes out of it. This tells that the oil in the lamp is depleted & the wick is only burning now. Allegorically, this tells us that Socrates' life is ending.

[millicent.christine]

1000 years from now, this is how future humans will read/analyze memes

[myettechase]

Today I was able to visit the Met for the first time in years and I stood in front of this painting for ages. It’s a wonderful painting when you see it online, but it’s absolutely breathtaking in person.

[Vampirewillrule]

This was so beautifully presented. The way you carry through the painting truly highlights the artist's feeling and drive. It honestly brought me to tears when you brought up the idea of Plato remembering this. I know very little of the men discussed but the painting and your clear explanation sparked my interest to learn more of them and their history. You are truly brilliant with every video.

[rotsu]

My third eye opened after watching this.

[GoatJesus]

Excellent analysis! Excellently composed. It truly makes me admire how you actually wrote this. The structure, like the structure of the painting, ebbs through the interpretations with ease. If it were a paper for an art history class, I would imagine it would be looked on with praise.

[taliakellegg]

5:15 socrates preparing for the karate kick 5:23 Socrates preforming the karate kick

[creamy]

imagine creating something so breathtakingly beautiful that the whole world agrees to protect what you've created for 100's of years to come