The Face of Socrates (Artistic Reconstruction)

Project requested by: ArsinoeofEgypt, Jim Foy, & 2cents

Socrates (b. 470 B.C. - d. 399 B.C.) Aged about 71.

One of history's most prominent philosophers and thinkers, Socrates's controversial life and revolutionary ideas led him to be persecuted for not only refusing to believe in the "Gods of the state" but also corrupting the minds of the young with his teachings. He was executed by way of being forced to poison himself with a dose of Hemlock.

ARTIST NOTES: First and foremost: Socrates was NOT a handsome individual, and many of his statues from first to last have been constructed to gloss over that fact, even the most famous busts. **His eyes, by description, seem to fit a possible diagnosis of him having had strabismus, which is a natural-born misalignment of the eyes. There isn't really a way of depicting that condition that looks dignified. So, any comments which complain about his unattractive appearance I would take to mean as an unwillingness to accept that not all figures of historical reverence are handsome or beautiful.
Despite that, my depiction may still be considered a very "kind" representation, if the scholars are to be believed.

Case in point, the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy reported Socrates's appearance thus:

"The extant sources agree that Socrates was profoundly ugly, resembling a satyr more than a man—and resembling not at all the statues that turned up later in ancient times and now grace Internet sites and the covers of books. He had wide-set, bulging eyes that darted sideways and enabled him, like a crab, to see not only what was straight ahead, but what was beside him as well; a flat, upturned nose with flaring nostrils; and large fleshy lips like an ass. Socrates let his hair grow long, Spartan-style (even while Athens and Sparta were at war), and went about barefoot and unwashed, carrying a stick and looking arrogant. He didn’t change his clothes but efficiently wore in the daytime what he covered himself with at night. Something was peculiar about his gait as well, sometimes described as a swagger so intimidating that enemy soldiers kept their distance. He was impervious to the effects of alcohol and cold weather, but this made him an object of suspicion to his fellow soldiers on campaign. We can safely assume an average height (since no one mentions it at all), and a strong build, given the active life he appears to have led. Against the iconic tradition of a pot-belly, Socrates and his companions are described as going hungry (Aristophanes, Birds 1280–83). Stanford.edu
First published Fri Sep 16, 2005; substantive revision Tue Feb 6, 2018
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/socrates/

Since Socrates's hair and eye color is a mystery, the default "brown" with grey hair (he was 71 at the time of death) was implemented.

"Socrates" 2020. Original Digital Art. © M.A. Ludwig

Music "Wild Air" from album "Meditations by the Earth" © 2008 Composed & performed by M.A. Ludwig

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