Honor to Socrates [obverse]

1964

Robert A. Weinman (designer)

Associated Names
Robert A. Weinman

Designer, American, 1915 - 2003

The sculpture is a square-shaped bas-relief medallion featuring the face of Socrates. The image of Socrates is sculpted in a golden-bronze color. The sculpted face of Socrates has detailed features, including a prominent beard and a serene expression. Around the face are engraved names—Plato, Aristotle, Locke, Nietzsche, Hauer, and Freud—and an inscription crediting contributors to understanding human nature. The contrast between the raised sculpture and the engraved text adds depth to the piece.
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Artwork overview

Associated Artworks

The sculpture depicts a muscular, nude male figure in a dynamic pose, kneeling with one knee on the ground while facing away from the viewer. He holds a flaming torch or lamp aloft in his right hand. To his left are three other human figures in various contorted positions. The artwork is crafted from bronze with a brownish-gold hue, featuring polished, smooth surfaces highlighting their musculature and anatomical details. The scene is on a square plaque with the words: "IN UNDERSTANDING'S LIGHT THE SPECTERS DIE" inscribed at the top and right edges.

Light of Knowledge [reverse]

Robert A. Weinman

1964

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Gift 1964 of Clyde C. Trees through subscription to the Society of Medalists (Sixty-Ninth Issue) to the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington; acquired 2015 by the National Gallery of Art.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

across the field: HONOR TO SOCRATES / .PLATO. ARISTOTLE / .BURTON .LOCKE. / SCHOPEN HAUER. / NIETZSCHE .FREUD. / AND.ALL. .THOSE / .WHO. HAVE. / HELPED. MAN.TO / .UNDER STAND.HIS / .GREATEST. .ENIGMA / . . . HIMSELF . . .

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