Art UK has updated its cookies policy. By using this website you are agreeing to the use of cookies. To find out more read our updated Use of Cookies policy and our updated Privacy policy.

Aristotle Refusing the Hemlock (?)

Image credit: Wellcome Collection

How you can use this image

Public Domain

This image has been assigned a Public Domain Mark and is free to use with unrestricted use.

Please acknowledge the Collection who own the work with a photo credit — this helps spread the word about their resources.

To learn more about images and rights, please see our image use page.

Download

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

The figures are similar to those in a painting of Diogenes and Alexander attributed to G. B. Langetti in the Fondazione Querini Stampalia, Venice. The face of the philospher is also similar to a painting of Hagar and the angel attributed to Johann Carl Loth and offered for sale at Sotheby's, Monaco, 15–16 June 1990, lot 342. The story circulated in antiquity that the philosopher Aristotle was indicted for impiety and required to follow the example of Socrates by committing suicide, but that he refused to drink the hemlock and fled instead to Chalcis with the remark that he 'would not give the Athenians a second chance to sin against philosophy'. This is assumed to be the subject of the present picture, though no other painting of the subject has been identified.

Title

Aristotle Refusing the Hemlock (?)

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 114.5 x W 114.5 cm

Accession number

45519i

Acquisition method

purchased by Henry S. Wellcome, c.1900–1936

Work type

Painting

Tags

See a tag that’s incorrect or offensive? Challenge it and notify Art UK.

Help improve Art UK. Tag artworks and verify existing tags by joining the Tagger community.

Wellcome Collection

183 Euston Road, London, Greater London NW1 2BE England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.
View venue