He drank the contents as though it were a draught of Wine - Walter Crane
Archival giclée
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Description
Walter Crane's illustration depicts the death of Socrates, rendered in a style typical of the Aesthetic Movement. The scene is filled with classical imagery and a sense of solemnity.
This illustration by Walter Crane (1845-1915), a British artist associated with the Aesthetic Movement, depicts a scene of classical antiquity. The composition centres on Socrates, who is shown seated and in chains, accepting a cup from a figure in classical garb. Mourners surround him, their faces expressing grief. The setting appears to be a prison cell, with barred windows in the background. Crane's style is characterised by clear lines and a muted colour palette, creating a sense of solemnity. Crane was an influential figure in the world of children's book illustration, and his work often drew on historical and mythological themes. This particular image likely illustrates the death of Socrates, who was sentenced to death by drinking hemlock. The illustration reflects the Aesthetic Movement's interest in beauty, symbolism, and historical subjects. Crane's illustrations often combined these elements to create visually engaging and intellectually stimulating works. The scene is rendered with attention to detail, from the folds of the clothing to the expressions on the faces of the figures.
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Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
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We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
He drank the contents as though it were a draught of Wine - Walter Crane
Our Features
Designed for Lasting Impact
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
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Artist Biography
Walter Crane
He began as a children's book illustrator, apprenticed to the wood engraver W.J. Linton. His Toy Books for the publisher Routledge, produced from 1865 onward, used flat areas of colour, strong outlines and decorative borders influenced by Japanese woodblock prints and the Pre-Raphaelites. They were among the first mass-produced children's books to treat illustration as a design problem rather than an afterthought.
During a lecture tour of the United States he spoke in favour of clemency for the anarchists sentenced to death after the Haymarket Affair. His wealthy American patrons cancelled engagements. Crane did not retract.
He became Vice President of the Healthy and Artistic Dress Union, a movement promoting loose-fitting clothing in opposition to tight Victorian corsetry. He wrote The Claims of Decorative Art, arguing that decorative art was not a lesser form. He was Art Director of the Art Workers' Guild and the first president of the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society.
He wanted to be taken seriously as a painter of allegorical canvases, but the galleries would not exhibit them. The children's books and the socialist cartoons are what lasted. Morris would have appreciated the irony.
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