“The Death of Socrates: A Final Lesson” Living in the metropolitan area, I was fortunate enough to be able to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and see Jacques' neoclassical piece by Louis David, The Death of Socrates. David's work portrays Socrates in his final moments. Socrates was being put to death because of what the government thought was corrupting young minds with its teachings (“The Death of Socrates…”). Socrates was a Greek philosopher. It is said to be the whole reason behind Western philosophy ("Socrates"). One of his most famous students is Plato, who can also be seen in the painting. Socrates is embracing death, while the people around him do not take it so easily. Because his entire life was based on the government putting Socrates to death for “corrupting young minds,” Socrates believed in democracy. He was finally accepting his death, no matter how hard it was to accept. Neoclassicism was a modernized result of the Baroque style and the classical style before it. The death of Socrates was the beginning of neoclassicism. This piece evoked emotions, just like pieces from the Baroque period. It has been compared to Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and Raphael's Stanze (“The Death of Socrates – Jacques-Louis David”). It was considered one of David's greatest masterpieces. Jacques-Louis David was considered one of the best neoclassical artists of the time. The Death of Socrates is one of Jacques-David's most famous paintings. The oil on canvas painting was completed in 1787 in France (“The Death of Socrates – Jacques-Louis David”). It was said to be the largest painting after the Sistine Chapel (Padiyar 27). David uses light to create the mood and atmosphere of the photo. The sun somehow shines in a dungeon on Socrates, creating the center of attention. The Sistine Chapel is located in Vatican City, where the Pope lives in Italy. Although there were many other artists who painted inside the chapel, Michelangelo was commissioned to paint the ceiling. Michelangelo used light to convey the stories he had painted on the ceiling. In addition to the Sistine Chapel, Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper could complement The Death of Socrates. The Last Supper was painted before the Death of Socrates and is located in Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan, Italy. It is not considered a true fresco style painting because it is painted on a dry rather than wet surface ("The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci - Facts about the painting."). Unfortunately, due to the materials and process used to paint The Last Supper, it needs to be restored quite frequently ("The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci - Fun facts about the painting."). The Death of Socrates reminds me of The Last Supper because the central figures, Jesus/Socrates, come to terms with their death. There followers gather around them to be with them in their final moments. Similar to Jesus, Socrates also had a following of people. Jesus had his disciples, while Socrates has his students. Both Jesus and Socrates were both willing to accept the inevitable. They maintained their dignity until the end of their lives. Most men seem to be angry or