La Mort de Socrate (esquisse)

La Mort de Socrate (esquisse) at the Louvre (1762) is an unusual oil sketch showing Boucher attempting a subject central to the emerging Neoclassical movement — the death of the Greek philosopher who drank hemlock rather than renounce his philosophical commitments, as Socrates had been condemned to death by Athens. This was precisely the kind of virtuous ancient subject that Diderot and other Enlightenment critics demanded from French painters — morally serious, historically grounded, and inspiring emulation of classical courage. That Boucher made an esquisse (sketch) of this subject suggests he was at least exploring the possibility of working in a Neoclassical mode, perhaps responding to critical pressure. The sketch format — compositionally worked out but not finished — may indicate he decided against proceeding, finding the subject incompatible with his decorative instincts. The Louvre's holding of this unusual work makes it available for comparison with the finished Neoclassical treatments of the same subject by Boucher's successors.

The philosophical scene is rendered with Boucher's characteristic warm palette. His handling brings Rococo sensibility to the classical subject.