weaktwos: (Default)
weaktwos ([personal profile] weaktwos) wrote2002-12-01 09:31 pm

Art Deprecation Workshop #2

I was shuffling through the Musee d'Orsay when I saw this little gem.

Artist: Jean Delville (1867-1953)
Title: L'ecole de Platon, 1898 (Plato's school)



When I sat through my ancient philosophy course, we spoke of Plato's forms, his cave, stores of Socrates, blah blah blah. Somehow, I don't think these students retained much of their knowledge. Every time you get some bible thumper lauding the good ol' days when education was stern and proper, whip out this tour de force.

Notice the lush, yet relaxing scenery. The way that Delville deftly performs his craft is astounding. Relaxed, intimate schoolmates. Those two standing on the right have a crush on teacher! And I think Plato, in his Jesus Christ costume, is chastising one of them and suggesting that he stay after class.

Tell me, does this look like a meadow of higher learning, or a sex seminar from "Real Sex of the Ancient Empire: Men of Greece!"?