The Death of Socrates. Literature & Language Essay

Examine the painting presented below. Reflect on what we have learned about Enlightenment, and explain both the history of the object, its context, and how it helps to shape our understanding of the period.Requirements:Writing should be a minimum of 500 words, not including the bibliography or any tables, images, or figures. Please use 12-point Times New Roman font with 1 inch margins and double-spacing. Regardless of what your topic is, you must cite all your sources and include a bibliography. Formatting for your citations and bibliography should follow an accepted academic writing style, such as Chicago, MLA, or APA. Remember, academic writing should be formal, regardless of its topic. A Basic Essay Rubric may be accessed under the Assessments tab.You must consult a minimum of four sources, all of which can be online sources, and list them in your bibliography. An encyclopedia, and your textbook, are good places to begin reading about the topic. It is where you go for basic information and elementary analysis, but go beyond these in order to fully respond to all questions-at-hand. Examine:(Attached photo)A painting of an old, muscular Socrates in prison. He is speaking to his students before he drinks poison.The painting above is the Death of Socrates. In 500 words or more, explain the origin, artist, style, context, and intent of this sculpture.Be sure that you explain the following:

Who painted this work?French painter Jacques-Louis DavidYou can start this essay by creating full sentences from these questions.
For example, “French artist, Jacques-Louis David, painted this portrait in 1787.”
 you could also specify that he was one of the main artists of his timeWhen was it made?1787
Where was it displayed (if known)?This portrait has been first displayed in the Paris salon (submitted by the author himself)
 you should specify the exact location of this salon to be more informative. You could also specify when it had been submitted there, which was in the same year (1787)
Where is it displayed now? However, it is now displayed in…The Metropolitan Museum of Art 
 specify exact location – New York
How has it been changed through damage or missing parts?
Natural physical aging …such as light, heat, moisture, leading to fading and deterioration
What is its style? Why do you assign it to this style?They style in the painting is neoclassical style
 excellent Neoclassical style features a linear style (outlines of objects are sharply defined via carefully controlled brushstrokes) , 
 instead of using brackets, you could say “linear style, meaning the outlines of objects…”use of straight lines, a smooth paint surface, the depiction of light, a minimal use of color, and the clear, crisp definition of forms.
this can also be referred to as linear simplicity and purity. This simplicity stems from Ancient Greece and Rome….which may be important to mention in your essay.This painting has all of these characteristics therefore it has neoclassical style
What elements of Enlightenment thought does this painting reflect? How so?
In the painting, Socrates is the symbol of enlightenment itself. 
 should specify who Socrates was and what he was known forHe represents the first enlightenment-the struggle between superstition and reasonIt also represents the rebellious nature of the enlightenment as the enlightenment involved challenging traditional belief systems e.g. the earth being the center of the universe, nature being explained by God, etc. 
 specify what else instead of using ‘etc’, as this shouldn’t be used in essays and not entirely clear what else you may be referring to.
Why was this painting important to the French Revolution?
This painting was mainly used as propagandaThe ideas behind this painting helped spark the spirit of the French Revolution 
 specify what in particular helped spark the French RevolutionTo many, Socrates was a hero who sacrificed himself to his principles and beliefs rather than accept banishment and shame. 
 what did he do specifically. This represented how the revolutionaries wanted to proceedThat is, to push towards goal with no cowardice but with control, honor, and fearlessnessIn other words, this painting symbolized the main idea behind the French Revolution-->refusing to conform and breaking tradition
 it would be important to mention in your essay that this is the painting of the death of Socrates.
you could provide some background information that Jacques Louis David took a neoclassical approach to his paintings, opposite to that period’s style (this would meet your assignment criteria of describing the artist in his context as well as the origin)
I find that your essay is missing the description of what is going on in this scene. Socrates is given poison hemlock to drink here and he is reaching for it. How is he portrayed here? Does he look weak or strong? What is his gesture like? Fierce? How has the lighting been portrayed? Who are the people around him and what are they doing? You could answer these questions to detail your essay.
You can read about the specifics of the scene to incorporate into your essay here (this can be one of your sources) :
https://mymodernmet(dot)com/jacques-louis-david-the-death-of-socrates/
Another source you can find useful:
https://www(dot)metmuseum(dot)org/en/art/collection/search/436105 
a case study that may be of use:
https://www(dot)google(dot)ca/amp/s/greatbooksguy.com/2018/07/21/case-study-neoclassicism-the-death-of-socrates/amp/