Artwork

Aristomenes Mourning the Death of Socrates from the Bewitchment of Meroë (from Book 1 of Apuleius, "The Golden Ass")

Aristomenes Mourning the Death of Socrates from the Bewitchment of Meroë (from Book 1 of Apuleius, "The Golden Ass") is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Antoine Denis Chaudet. It dates from 1795 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Aristomenes Mourning the Death of Socrates from the Bewitchment of Meroë is a drawing based on a narrative from Apuleius's 2nd-century Roman novel, The Golden Ass. The scene depicts the immediate aftermath of Socrates' death at the hands of the witch Meroë.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing illustrates a poignant moment of grief, as Aristomenes kneels over his deceased friend Socrates, who succumbed to a fatal throat wound inflicted by Meroë after a disastrous affair. The image conveys the tragic consequences of Socrates' entanglement with the witch.

Technique & Style

Executed by sculptor-turned-illustrator Jean-Antoine Chaudet, the drawing exhibits a sculptural quality reminiscent of carved relief. The composition leverages chiaroscuro, with moonlight piercing through dark clouds to create a dim, emotionally charged atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Chaudet designed this drawing as part of an unrealized book illustration project for The Golden Ass, commissioned by the prominent neoclassic publisher, the Didot firm. Despite the project's abandonment, the work showcases Chaudet's versatility beyond sculpture.

Artist & collection

Artist

Antoine Denis Chaudet

Antoine-Denis Chaudet (French pronunciation: ; 3 March 1763 – 19 April 1810) was a French sculptor who worked in the neoclassical style. He was born and died in Paris.