Since the birth of cinema, numerous films have appeared that portray the biography of painters and sculptors. If, in addition to art, you like cinema (which, after all, is the seventh art) you cannot miss these exciting biopics that will immerse you in the life and work of these artists.
We offer you a list of 20 essential films for every art lover or, simply, for anyone who wants to learn or perfect their artistic knowledge.
The word “art” is very broad; It not only encompasses painting and sculpture, but also cinema, music, dance, literature. However, we have preferred to reduce the list of films about artists to painters and sculptors, since the film offering in this regard is very varied and interesting. So, without further ado: one, two, three, action!
1. Girl with a Pearl Earringby Peter Webber (2003)
Excellent recreation of Vermeer’s Delft The story, based on the novel of the same name by Tracy Chevalier, revolves around Griet, a young woman who enters to serve in the painter’s house. Through the eyes of the girl, we delve into Vermeer’s life and the process of creating his work. An exquisite and intimate film that you cannot miss if you like the interiors of this great Dutch painter.
2. The Madman with Red Hair (Lust for Life)by Vincente Minnelli (1956)
One of the best biopics about the figure of Vincent van Gogh Minnelli makes a perfect portrait of his stormy existence, to which a splendid Kirk Douglas puts the finishing touch with his magnificent characterization and interpretation. A truly essential film to learn about the painter’s life and artistic career.
3. Mr. Turnerby Mike Leigh (2014)
Careful staging of one of the great pictorial geniuses of Great Britain. A slow and delicious film, which perfectly recreates the light and atmosphere of the painter’s work. In summary, a well-deserved tribute to an artist who anticipated impressionism by more than 50 years
4. Moulin Rougeby John Huston (1952)
Paris at the end of the century recreated in a spectacular way. The film follows the career of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, the brilliant painter of the underworld, who left us memorable scenes of cabaret and fun. The film will delight lovers of Parisian bohemia.
5. The torment and the ecstasy (The Agony and the Ecstasy)by Carol Reed (1965)
The difficult relationship between Pope Julius II and Michelangelo brought to the screen from Irving Stone’s novel. It is one of the most remembered artists’ films, in part because of the extraordinary stage chemistry between Charlton Heston and Rex Harrison, who play Michelangelo and the Pope, respectively. The film reflects the process of creating one of the greatest works of art in history, the paintings of the Sistine Chapel.
6. The Passion of Camille Claudel (Camille Claudel) by Bruno Nuytten (1988)
The story of one of the greatest injustices in the history of art, the sad life of Camille Claudel, who began as an apprentice to the great Rodin, then she became his lover and, finally, she ended up confined and forgotten in a psychiatric hospital. History has shown that Claudel’s work was as great or more brilliant than that of her teacher and, luckily, little by little she begins to recover her memory.
7. Andrei Rublevby Andrei Tarkovsky (1966)
Mythical film that tells the life of the icon painter of medieval Russia Andréi Rublev. Recreated in a beautiful black and white and with the unmistakable stamp of the great Tarkovsky, The film is a gem of Soviet cinema which you cannot miss if you want to know a little more about 15th century Russia.
The great Charles Laughton steps into the shoes of the famous Dutch painter in this memorable film. The story revolves around the depression that the painter suffers after the death of his wife, and the consolation that he later finds with the very young Hendrickje. A classic to get to know the figure of Rembrandt.
9. Goya in Bordeauxby Carlos Saura (1999)
Reflection of the last days of the great Spanish painter, who has been exiled to Bordeaux as a protest against the absolutism that King Ferdinand VII exercises in Spain. Old and deaf, and played by the always wonderful Paco Rabal, he remembers his golden youth.
10. Fridaby Julie Taymor (2002)
Biopic that recalls the tempestuous relationship between the brilliant Mexican artist and her husband, also the painter Diego Rivera. The film reflects how this toxic relationship, as well as the aftermath of the serious accident that the artist suffered, influenced Frida’s painting.
eleven. The lovers of Montparnasse (Les amants de Montparnasse)by Jacques Becker (1958)
Although it is not very faithful to reality, it is a good and beautiful film about the life of Amedeo Modigliani and, above all, about the relationship he had with the artist Jeanne Hébuterne. The young woman became his muse and was the protagonist of many of his portraits.
12. Drunk with women and paint (Chihwaseon)by Im Kwon-taek (2002)
The life of 19th century Korean artist Jang Seung-up The film portrays the spiral of self-destruction in which the painter lived, obsessed with pleasure and women and addicted to alcohol, which however was not an obstacle for him to become one of the greatest artistic symbols of Korea.
13. Reveronby Diego Rísquez (2011)
The film recreates the life of the famous Venezuelan artist Armando Reverón, and focuses on the years from 1924 to 1954. During this time, we witness Reverón’s relationships with Juanita, his muse and companion, as well as the psychological decline that He is gradually suffering and how all this affects his pictorial universe.
Biopic of the famous painter of Greek origin Domenicos Theotokopoulos, better known as “El Greco”. The film follows his adventures from his native island, Crete, to Toledo, the city where he settled, and portrays his conflictive relationship with the Inquisition. Vangelis’s always enveloping music puts the finishing touch to the film.
fifteen. big eyesby Tim Burton (2014)
The story of Margaret Keane, an American artist who became famous in the 1950s for her paintings of figures with enormous eyes. The film also narrates the legal fight that the artist had with her husband, who had claimed authorship of her works.
16. Renoirby Gilles Bourdos (2012)
The peculiarity is not that the film is based on a novel (as, in fact, usually happens) but that said novel is written by the great-grandson of the impressionist painter himself. The film captures the years of retirement that Renoir lived in Cagnes-sur-mer, on the French Riviera. Specifically, it takes place in 1915, just when his son, Jean Renoir (the great filmmaker) returns injured from the war.
17. Utamaro and his 5 women (Utamaro o meguru gonin no onna)by Kenji Mizoguchi (1946)
In the exquisite Japan of the late 18th century, Utamaro paints Japanese prints, the famous ukiyo-e that would so fascinate European painters of the 19th century. The film narrates the relationship of the artist with the women he chooses as models, most of them chosen in the most select brothels.
18. Maudie, the color of life (Maudie)by Aisling Walsh (2016)
The story of Maud Lewis, who went from being a humble housewife in Nova Scotia to being one of Canada’s most famous folk artists. The film focuses on her love story with the fisherman Everett Lewis, into whose house Maud enters as her servant and whom she will eventually marry. The film lovingly recreates that simple environment in which Maud lives.
19. Berthe Morisotby Caroline Champetier (2012)
The film vindicates the work of Berthe Morisot within impressionism and art history in general. Young Berthe wants to be an artist, but this is something that, of course, her family does not approve. Her meeting with the painter Édouard Manet will change her life and guide her steps to become an excellent painter.
twenty. Edward Munchby Peter Watkins (1974)
This is a peculiar film, since it is treated almost like a documentary. For many, it is the best film about Munch ; Not in vain did filmmaker Ingmar Bergman call it “great.” The film tells us about the life and work of Edvuard Munch, one of the greatest exponents of expressionist painting. The fact that a large part of the dialogues are taken from the painter’s diaries attests to the realistic will of the film.
