What makes jacques-Louis David's Death of Socrates fit the neo-classical style?

Answer 1

The Romantic style in art history is the ambiguous, uncertain, somewhat spiritual looking paintings with nature the key part of them, although there are figures often in them. Artists like Caspar David FRIEDRICH can be seen as Romantic. Neo-Classicism, like certain works of DAVID, is that style of subject and painting which usually has a moral undertone, a story within the picture, a before and after. It can be presented in a theatrical, somewhat posed approach, with architecture imitating the Roman styles. This was revered at the time, as being worthy, important, unsentimental. In keeping with this philosophy, the paintings usually had clear, bold outlines against pastel or darker backgrounds, enhancing the 'stars' or important groups within the scene. The effects of light is not a mere accidental addition; in most cases, light signals vitality, darkness represents death. If you read the painting like a theatrical scene, see the symbolisms, it might seem clearer.