40 Films About Art and Artistic Creation
40 titles
- 1
The Price of EverythingMovie · 2018 · 98mThis documentary explores the connection between art and financial interests, following collectors, dealers, and auctioneers. It features prominent artists like George Condo, Jeff Koons, Gerhard Richter, and Njideka Akunyili Crosby, examining how artistic passion navigates a modern world driven by commerce and consumerism.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.1 - 2
VincentMovie · 1987 · 105mThis film tells the story of Vincent van Gogh through a combination of his paintings and the letters he exchanged with his brother Theo. The narrative unfolds entirely through these visual and written sources, offering an intimate glimpse into the artist's life and mind.IMDb 7.4TMDB 6.4 - 3
Rosslyn Chapel: A Treasure in StoneMovie · 2010 · 60mRosslyn Chapel is a stunning example of stone architecture. Once a hidden gem in Scotland, it gained international recognition after appearing in Dan Brown's novel, *The Da Vinci Code*.IMDb 6.8 - 4
Da Vinci and the Code He Lived ByMovie · 2006 · 91mLeonardo da Vinci, the celebrated "Mind of the Renaissance," remains influential today. A painter, sculptor, engineer, and scientist, he excelled as both master and innovator in every area. Known for iconic works like The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa, Leonardo was also a visionary whose inventions wouldn't be realized for centuries. The film follows this original Renaissance man through the opulent courts of wealthy patrons, facing accusations of heresy, rumors of betrayal, and romantic entanglements—all driven by an insatiable thirst for understanding. From the creators of Islam: Empire of Faith and Barbarians, DA VINCI AND THE CODE HE LIVED BY tells the extraordinary story of his exceptional talent, lasting impact, and bravery in the face of formidable challenges. Available on DVD for the first time.IMDb 7.3 - 5
The Prado Museum: A Collection of WondersMovie · 2019 · 89mJeremy Irons journeys through the Prado Museum in Madrid, two centuries after it opened. He explores halls filled with masterpieces depicting the lives of rulers and ordinary people, and stories of war, madness, peace, and happiness. The film reflects on Goya's words: imagination creates both terrifying monsters and incredible beauty.IMDb 6.9TMDB 7.2 - 6
Holbein: Eye of the TudorsMovie · 2015 · 59mThis program explores the career of Hans Holbein, beginning with his early religious paintings and following his work for King Henry VIII and later patrons. It features a detailed examination of his famous painting, "The Ambassadors."IMDb 7.5TMDB 5.0 - 7
Metamorphose: M.C. Escher, 1898-1972Movie · 1999 · 60mThis documentary explores the life and art of M. C. Escher, a Dutch graphic artist (1898-1972). Escher is renowned for his mathematically inspired woodcuts, lithographs, and mezzotints. His work often depicts impossible constructions, delves into concepts of infinity, and features explorations of architecture and tessellations.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.0 - 8Landmarks of Western Art: From Rococo to Revolution - A Journey of Art HistoryMovie · 2006In the 18th century, art shifted from serious subjects to more decorative styles, often focusing on idyllic landscapes. This episode explores the works of artists like Watteau, Boucher, Hogarth, Gainsborough, and Reynolds, who exemplify this trend.
- 9
Exit Through the Gift ShopMovie · 2010 · 86m · DocumentaryBanksy is a world-famous graffiti artist whose art appears on walls worldwide, from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to the West Bank. He fiercely protects his anonymity to avoid legal trouble and has never been filmed. *Exit Through the Gift Shop* is the surprising true story of a quirky French shop owner who tried to find and befriend Banksy, only for the artist to redirect the camera back at him.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.5 - 10
Mark Gatiss on John Minton: The Lost Man of British ArtMovie · 2018 · 59mMark Gatiss, both actor and writer, has long been fascinated by the writer Minton. In this intimate, self-made film, Gatiss shares the story of Minton's eventful and multifaceted life for the very first time on television.IMDb 8.1 - 11
Loving VincentMovie · 2017 · 95m · Animation, Drama, MysteryA young man travels to Arles, France, Van Gogh's final home, to deliver the artist's last letter. He becomes drawn into uncovering the circumstances surrounding Van Gogh's final days.IMDb 7.8TMDB 8.0 - 12
British Museum Presents: HokusaiMovie · 2017 · 87mBritish Museum presents: Hokusai offers a unique look at the upcoming exhibition Hokusai: beyond the Great Wave. Filmed in Japan, the US, and the UK, the documentary explores Hokusai's life and work during the period of Edo, modern-day Tokyo. Hosted by Andrew Graham-Dixon and featuring insights from artists David Hockney, Grayson Perry, and Maggi Hambling, it’s the first comprehensive biography of Japan’s most celebrated artist in the UK. The film uses advanced 8K Ultra HD video and close-up analysis by leading digital art historians to examine Hokusai's paintings and prints.IMDb 7.6TMDB 8.9 - 13
I, Claude MonetMovie · 2017 · 87mAward-winning director Phil Grabsky presents a revealing portrait of Claude Monet, one of the most influential and successful painters of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The film uses Monet's own letters and writings to explore the man behind Impressionism, revealing his struggles with depression, loneliness, and suicidal thoughts, alongside his humor, insight, and love of life. As Monet’s art evolved and he cultivated his renowned garden at Giverny, his personal story unfolds. Filmed on location in Paris, London, Normandy, and Venice, *I, Claude Monet* offers a cinematic journey into the heart of Western Art's most beloved scenes.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.2 - 14
Treasures of the Anglo-SaxonsMovie · 2010 · 59mOxford academic Janina Ramirez travels Britain in this documentary to explore Anglo-Saxon art. She argues that this period should not be considered a "dark age," unlike the Roman era, but instead celebrated for its artistic and symbolic innovation. The film showcases significant examples like the Franks Casket, the Staffordshire Hoard, and the Lindisfarne Gospels.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.0 - 15
Manet: The Man Who Invented Modern ArtMovie · 2009 · 90mÉdouard Manet is considered a pivotal figure in art history, often credited as the originator of modern art with his painting *Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe*. His life is a compelling story: the son of a powerful French judge who defied his family to pursue a career as an artist. This decision created legendary family conflicts. Manet also led a dramatic personal life marked by passionate affairs and a tragic end. Despite being hailed as the father of Impressionism, he deliberately avoided exhibiting with the Impressionists, maintaining a detached relationship with artists like Monet, Renoir, and Degas, whom he admired but subtly looked down upon.IMDb 7.5TMDB 5.3 - 16
Musei Vaticani 3DMovie · 2014 · 80mVATICAN MUSEUMS 3D, a SKY production in collaboration with the Vatican Museums Directorate, offers an unprecedented look at the Vatican's art collection. For the first time, Ultra HD 4K/3D film cameras venture inside the museums and the Sistine Chapel, revealing the masterpieces within as never before seen. This is an extraordinary journey of discovery through two thousand years of artistic history.IMDb 6.8TMDB 8.0 - 17
De PalmaMovie · 2016 · 108m · DocumentaryFilmmakers share an intimate conversation about Martin Scorsese's 55-year career, his life, and how he makes movies, including revealing stories and many film clips.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.0 - 18
Art for Teachers of ChildrenMovie · 1995 · 82mAt a boarding school, 14-year-old Jennifer, feeling insecure, becomes involved with her married dormitory counselor, a photographer who promises to mentor her in his art. He takes nude photographs of her, and she becomes entangled in a manipulative affair that is eventually exposed. Years later, as the photographer faces FBI scrutiny, the adult Jennifer reflects on her first love as a situation where she was both the observed and the observer.IMDb 5.9TMDB 4.2 - 19
Revolution: New Art for a New WorldMovie · 2017 · 85mUsing materials from leading Russian museums, plus new works by artists, insights from curators and performers, and stories from the families of those who lived it, the film explores the lives of the Russian Avant-Garde. It follows artists like Chagall, Kandinsky, and Malevich – innovators who created a fresh artistic vision for a changing world. Their movement was suppressed after only 15 years by the powerful state, which forced them to abandon their style in favor of Stalin's Socialist Realism.IMDb 6.9TMDB 7.5 - 20
Water Lilies by MonetMovie · 2018 · 94mThis film follows the life and work of Claude Monet, the leading figure of Impressionism. The journey traces his artistic path along the Seine River, from Le Havre to Paris and then upstream to places like Argenteuil, Poissy, Vétheuil, and Giverny, before returning to Paris. The film explores the museums housing his most famous paintings – the Orangerie, Marmottan, and Orsay – culminating in a visit to Monet's house and gardens in Giverny.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.8 - 21
I, SamuraiMovie · 2006 · 60mArt critic Andrew Graham-Dixon journeys to Japan to explore the art, traditions, and training of the samurai. He seeks to understand the warrior culture firsthand, hoping to embody the spirit of a samurai.IMDb 7.1 - 22
Rembrandt fecit 1669Movie · 1977 · 108mDuring his final year, Rembrandt painted a series of self-portraits depicting a dark and isolated emotional state. Stelling has meticulously recreated the artist’s declining years, allowing audiences to draw their own connections between Rembrandt's life and his work.IMDb 6.6TMDB 5.8 - 23
Being a Human PersonMovie · 2020 · 90mAt 76, acclaimed Swedish filmmaker Roy Andersson is finishing what he says will be his final movie. As his career nears its conclusion, the recurring themes of vulnerability, insecurity, and mortality in Andersson’s films become deeply intertwined with his work.IMDb 7.6TMDB 5.7 - 24
Gauguin: A Dangerous LifeMovie · 2019 · 58mGauguin’s paintings command enormous prices. A passionate and dedicated artist who associated with the Impressionists and had a complicated connection with Vincent van Gogh, he was also intensely ambitious and driven. He abandoned his wife to support her and their five children, then traveled to Polynesia, using his position of power to take young women, aged 13 to 15, as wives. There, he captured images of them and their culture, presenting a romanticized vision of paradise. In his later years, Gauguin defied colonial powers and the Church to advocate for the Polynesian people. He died in 1903 in the Marquesas Islands, weakened by illness, lacking wealth, and isolated.IMDb 7.4 - 25
Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible WorldMovie · 2011 · 90mThis ninety-minute film journeys through nine countries and 1,400 years of history to explore themes of language, design, and the elements of color and water in Islamic art and architecture. Narrated by Susan Sarandon, the documentary showcases the breadth and variety of this art form. It offers a look into Islamic culture and provides insights into timeless human themes that have shaped civilization.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.0 - 26
Mr. TurnerMovie · 2014 · 150m · History, DramaIn his final 25 years, the unconventional British painter J.M.W. Turner embraces life with passion. He secretly develops a relationship with a woman who runs a seaside inn, while his devoted housekeeper harbors a hidden affection for him.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.5 - 27
The Titan: Story of MichelangeloMovie · 1950 · 94mThis documentary explores the life and artistic achievements of Michelangelo Buonarroti, set against the backdrop of Renaissance Italy. It traces his journey from early works to his rise to enduring fame, featuring close examinations of his most celebrated masterpieces. The film was re-edited in 1950 with additional footage by Robert J. Flaherty and is preserved by the Academy Film Archive as of 2005.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.1 - 28
At Eternity's GateMovie · 2018 · 111m · DramaVincent van Gogh, a celebrated yet deeply troubled artist, spends his last years in Arles, France, creating iconic paintings of the landscapes around him.IMDb 6.9TMDB 7.0 - 29Hermitage RevealedMovie · 2014 · 83mThis documentary celebrates the 250th anniversary of one of the world’s greatest museums. It chronicles the museum's history, beginning with its founding by Catherine the Great and continuing to its present-day status as a stunning complex that includes the Winter Palace. The museum houses over 3 million treasures and world-class masterpieces, displayed in remarkable architectural settings, alongside contemporary art galleries and exhibitions. The film details its transformation from an Imperial Palace to a State Museum, including its journey through a sometimes turbulent past, surviving both the 1916 Revolution and the Nazi siege of Leningrad in 1941-44.IMDb 7.4TMDB 8.0
- 30
The Curious World of Hieronymus BoschMovie · 2016 · 90mExhibition on Screen presents a film documenting a rare exhibition of Hieronymus Bosch's works, assembled from museums worldwide and displayed in his native Netherlands. The film offers exclusive access to the exhibition, exploring the life and enduring influence of this enigmatic medieval painter on contemporary artists. Over 420,000 visitors experienced Bosch's unique creations, and this film provides a chance to witness his extraordinary homecoming from anywhere. Curators and critics offer insights into the inspiration behind his peculiar art. Detailed close-ups reveal the intricacies of his paintings, including his famous altarpieces, which were reunited for this special event.IMDb 7.4TMDB 5.0 - 31
Treasures of the LouvreMovie · 2013 · 90mIn Paris, writer Andrew Hussey journeys through the art and history of the Louvre, revealing how its story reflects the history of France. He explores masterpieces by artists like Veronese, Rubens, David, and Delacroix, while examining the Louvre's evolution from a medieval fortress to a royal palace and now a major public museum attracting eight million visitors annually. The documentary also highlights the museum's newest addition: the recently opened Islamic Gallery.IMDb 7.7 - 32
Vermeer: The Greatest ExhibitionMovie · 2023 · 90mThis major exhibition gathers Vermeer’s most celebrated paintings, including Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Geographer, The Milkmaid, The Little Street, Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid, and Woman Holding a Balance. The film offers a behind-the-scenes look at the exhibition, featuring the director of the Rijksmuseum and the curator of the show.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.8 - 33
The Great MuseumMovie · 2014 · 94mThis documentary offers an intimate look inside the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, one of the world's leading museums. It follows several compelling individuals and explores the museum's multifaceted role – not only as a center for art but also as a symbol of national identity.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.0 - 34
Final PortraitMovie · 2017 · 87m · History, DramaParis, 1964. Renowned Swiss sculptor and painter Alberto Giacometti asks his friend, American writer James Lord, to pose for a portrait, promising it will only take two or three hours, at most an afternoon.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.0 - 35
Effie GrayMovie · 2014 · 104m · DramaThis film explores the enigmatic connection between Victorian art critic John Ruskin and his young wife, Effie Gray.IMDb 6.0TMDB 5.9 - 36
Secrets of the Mona LisaMovie · 2015 · 59mThis film explores the mystery surrounding the Mona Lisa, using newly discovered evidence to investigate who she really was and where she lived. It analyzes documents from centuries ago with advanced technology, potentially revealing hidden truths about the world's most famous painting.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.7 - 37
Hieronymus Bosch: Touched by the DevilMovie · 2015 · 86mIn 2016, the Noordbrabants Museum in Den Bosch, Netherlands, presented an exhibition celebrating the 500th anniversary of Hieronymus Bosch's death. This late-medieval artist spent his entire life in the city, generating controversy with his strikingly original paintings, which frequently depicted hell and the devil.IMDb 6.5TMDB 7.0 - 38
Beyond The Visible - Hilma af KlintMovie · 2019 · 93mAt the dawn of the 20th century, how could an artist develop abstraction and remain unnoticed? This film reveals the story of Hilma af Klint, a woman whose groundbreaking abstract paintings, created as early as 1906 – four years before Wassily Kandinsky – were largely ignored and remain largely unseen. The film explores her life, the challenges faced by women in art history, and the surprising discovery of a hidden artistic legacy. Driven by a search for meaning and boundless thought, she created an extraordinary body of work that continues to resonate today.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.2 - 39
A Real VermeerMovie · 2016 · 105mIn the early 1920s, Han van Meegeren, a gifted but rebellious artist in Amsterdam, paints in the style of Rembrandt and Vermeer, but is dismissed by critics as a mere copyist. Determined to prove them wrong, he creates a fake Vermeer and successfully sells it as authentic. Rather than confess, he profits from a series of forgeries, becoming entangled in a dangerous web of lies. His life spirals out of control when Hermann Göring, a high-ranking Nazi official, seeks him out to purchase a Vermeer for his personal collection.IMDb 6.1TMDB 5.3 - 40
The Vatican MuseumsMovie · 2007 · 410mOriginally created for the year 2000, *The Vatican Museums* is the result of three years of research and filming. It involved thirty-two scholars and historians, forty directors of photography, and advanced digital technology, including animation and computerized editing, alongside original music and performances. Now available on DVD, this historic three-disc collection offers seven hours of documentary film exploring art, history, and faith within the Vatican Museums—the world's most significant collection of sacred art.IMDb 5.2
