47 Films About Art and Artists
47 titles
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Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on FootMovie · 2018 · 115m · Comedy, DramaFollowing a life-altering accident, John Callahan embarks on a difficult journey toward sobriety and finds healing through art. He begins drawing cartoons with his injured hands, creating humorous and sometimes provocative images that give him a renewed sense of purpose.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.7 - 2
ModiglianiMovie · 2004 · 128m · DramaThe film follows the final years of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani's life in Paris, 1919, and his artistic competition with Pablo Picasso. Modigliani, who is Jewish, finds love with Jeanne, a young Catholic woman. They have a child out of wedlock, and Jeanne’s parents send the baby to a convent to be raised by nuns.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.0 - 3
ArtemisiaMovie · 1997 · 98m · Drama, HistoryArtemisia Gentileschi, born in 1593, was a significant figure in art history, known for her challenging life and rise to become one of the first famous female painters. The film follows her life, beginning with her early years under the guidance of her father, painter Orazio Gentileschi.
The story unfolds in 17th-century Italy, examining Artemisia's struggles and successes as a gifted artist in a world dominated by men. With her father's support – both in technical training and emotional encouragement – she developed her skills and established herself as a unique artist.
The film highlights Artemisia's strength and perseverance despite hardship. It depicts her journey from a young aspiring painter to a courageous artist who fearlessly explored challenging subjects like violence and sexual assault, topics often avoided at the time. This biography of Gentileschi offers a compelling look at the difficulties faced by a pioneering woman in art, celebrating her unwavering spirit.IMDb 6.7TMDB 5.9 - 4
I Shot Andy WarholMovie · 1996 · 103m · DramaThe film chronicles Valerie Solanas, a controversial figure of the 1960s who wrote the "SCUM" manifesto, advocating radical changes to societal gender roles. She also wrote a screenplay hoping to gain the attention of Andy Warhol, believing him to be the ideal collaborator for her vision.
Frustrated by Warhol's lack of response to her repeated requests for support, Solanas became increasingly disillusioned. In a shocking act, she shot Warhol, attempting to drastically alter his life.
The film explores Solanas' motivations and the factors that led to her descent into violence, examining themes of feminism, misogyny, and the struggle for artistic recognition in a male-dominated environment.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.1 - 5
Miss PotterMovie · 2006 · 92m · Drama, Family, RomanceBeatrix Potter, best known for "The Tale of Peter Rabbit," navigates challenges in her pursuit of love, contentment, and recognition for her work.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.6 - 6
Cradle Will RockMovie · 1999 · 132m · DramaDuring the politically turbulent 1930s, a daring leftist musical aims to challenge American society through art. But the work encounters strong opposition from powerful political figures and conservative groups determined to suppress its message. The story explores freedom of expression, artistic honesty, and the bravery required to question societal expectations, all against the backdrop of a nation struggling with its values. As tensions mount, the future of the musical and its creators becomes uncertain.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.4 - 7
Lust for LifeMovie · 1956 · 122m · Drama, HistoryThis film portrays the challenging life of Vincent van Gogh, the Dutch artist celebrated for his distinctive and emotionally charged art. Struggling with mental health and artistic setbacks, Van Gogh finds unwavering support from his brother, Theo. Seeking fresh inspiration in France, he encounters the passionate painter Paul Gauguin. Their intense relationship fuels both artistic progress and significant conflict. The film explores the complexities of Van Gogh's life, revealing his inner turmoil and highlighting his lasting impact on the art world.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.2 - 8
Paz!Movie · 2002 · 102m · Comedy"Paz!" follows a group of university students living together in Bologna during the 1970s. Inspired by the comics of Andrea Pazienza, the story captures a day in their lives as they navigate drugs, school, relationships, and weak political involvement. It's a 24-hour look at their experiences.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.6 - 9
The Electrical Life of Louis WainMovie · 2021 · 111m · Drama, History, ComedyThis is the remarkable true story of Louis Wain, a uniquely eccentric British artist. His whimsical and often surreal depictions of cats profoundly changed how the world saw these animals.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.9 - 10
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 - 11
BasquiatMovie · 1996 · 107m · Drama, HistoryThis documentary series offers a realistic look inside New York City's law enforcement and criminal justice system. It follows police detectives as they carefully investigate serious crimes, working to gather evidence and question suspects. They then present their findings to prosecutors, who must build strong cases based on solid proof to achieve convictions. The series details the collaborative work between police and prosecutors as they try to keep the city safe.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.6 - 12
The Best OfferMovie · 2013 · 131m · Drama, Romance, CrimeVirgil Oldman is a highly respected antiques expert and auctioneer. An unconventional and brilliant man, he prefers a solitary life, avoiding personal connections. When he's asked to appraise and sell her family’s valuable art collection by Claire, a woman carrying emotional wounds, Virgil begins to care for her. He soon finds himself consumed by a powerful attraction that dramatically changes his carefully controlled world.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.8 - 13
CarringtonMovie · 1995 · 121m · History, Drama, RomanceThe film explores the complex emotional relationship between painter Dora Carrington and writer Lytton Strachey. Despite Strachey's known homosexuality, he is drawn to Dora's enigmatic personality, leading to a deep and lasting friendship with romantic feelings.
As Dora develops feelings for Ralph Partridge, she struggles with her loyalty to Strachey. The film examines the difficulties of love and friendship, questioning whether romantic feelings can be separated from emotional attachments. It also shows how societal expectations impact relationships and the challenges of defying those norms.
The film presents a nuanced look at unconventional connections, prompting reflection on the nature of love and friendship and whether these emotions can exist apart from romantic relationships.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.1 - 14
Georgia O'KeeffeMovie · 2009 · 89mThis film chronicles the relationship between American artist Georgia O'Keeffe and her husband, photographer Alfred Stieglitz.IMDb 6.5TMDB 4.9 - 15
Mona Lisa SmileMovie · 2003 · 117m · Drama, History, RomanceIn 1953, Katherine Watson, a recent UCLA graduate, takes a job teaching art history at Wellesley College, a renowned women's school. She intends to challenge societal norms and the college’s traditional values. Katherine encourages her students, including Betty and Joan, to question the paths their lives are prescribed.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.9 - 16
My Left Foot: The Story of Christy BrownMovie · 1989 · 103m · DramaChristy Brown's inspiring story follows his remarkable achievements despite severe physical limitations. Born into a working-class Irish family, he lives with cerebral palsy, leaving him unable to control his body. At five years old, he unexpectedly demonstrates control by writing a word with chalk using his left foot.
Supported by his determined mother and driven by a desire to live fully, Christy pursues self-expression and finds success as an artist and writer. He discovers a talent for painting and poetry, transforming himself into an acclaimed figure. This moving story explores courage, perseverance, and the power of the human spirit to overcome great challenges.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.5 - 17
M. C. Escher: Journey to InfinityMovie · 2018 · 81mThis film explores the life of M.C. Escher (1898-1972) through his own writings: diary entries, letters, and lecture notes.IMDb 7.3TMDB 6.9 - 18
Girl with a Pearl EarringMovie · 2003 · 101m · Drama, RomanceThe film is based on Tracy Chevalier's novel and recounts the story of how Johannes Vermeer painted "Girl With A Pearl Earring" in 17th-century Holland. A young peasant girl working as a servant in Vermeer's household becomes his assistant and the model for his iconic painting.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.6 - 19
Big EyesMovie · 2014 · 106m · DramaDuring the late 1950s and early 1960s, artist Walter Keane becomes incredibly famous for his portraits of children with large eyes. The public doesn't know that his wife, Margaret, is actually the one painting them. Though deeply disturbed to discover Walter is claiming her work as his own, Margaret is too timid to speak out. The truth is only revealed when the Keanes' marriage dissolves and a legal battle ensues.IMDb 6.9TMDB 7.0 - 20
Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane ArbusMovie · 2006 · 122m · Drama, HistoryIn 1958 New York, Diane Arbus is a wife and mother assisting her husband, a photographer working for his wealthy family. Despite her seemingly comfortable life, Diane feels out of place in her privileged surroundings. A new neighbor sparks her interest, and this intriguing man motivates her to explore her own artistic potential.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.1 - 21
The Monuments MenMovie · 2014 · 118m · War, Drama, HistoryThe Monuments Men is a true story about a remarkable mission during World War II. A team of unlikely heroes – museum directors, artists, architects, curators, and art historians – risked everything to save priceless works of art from Nazi destruction. They journeyed to the war front to locate and protect masterpieces, determined to return them to their owners. Facing immense danger, could these men succeed in their extraordinary quest?IMDb 6.1TMDB 6.1 - 22
CaravaggioMovie · 1986 · 93m · Drama, History, RomanceThe film explores the life of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, a celebrated 17th-century painter famous for his dramatic Baroque style and controversial themes. It follows his artistic triumphs and his complicated connections with the less savory side of life. The story reveals the complex personality of this influential artist, tracing his path from the art world to the city's hidden corners. Viewers will see Caravaggio's innovative art and the personal struggles and risky partnerships that defined him. This compelling look at an artist balancing genius and darkness offers a captivating cinematic experience.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.1 - 23
Hidden AwayMovie · 2020 · 120m · DramaThe film follows Toni Ligabue, a gifted but naive painter who, as a child living in the Po Valley, often drew tigers, lions, and jaguars while surrounded by poplar trees. His difficult childhood transforms into a kind of fairy tale as he finds solace and self-expression through his art, ultimately gaining recognition and admiration from the world.IMDb 7.0TMDB 7.5 - 24
Egon Schiele: Death and the MaidenMovie · 2016 · 105m · Drama, HistoryVienna, Austria, 1910. The promising painter Egon Schiele is known for his bold and unconventional art, which blends erotic themes with a raw honesty that both challenges and captivates those who see it.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.8 - 25
Little AshesMovie · 2008 · 112m · Drama, RomanceThis film explores the formative years and romantic relationships of artist Salvador Dalí, filmmaker Luis Buñuel, and writer Federico García Lorca.IMDb 6.3TMDB 5.9 - 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
Hitler Versus PicassoMovie · 2018 · 94m · DocumentaryIn 1937, the Nazi regime staged two exhibitions in Munich: one to denigrate "Degenerate Art" (art they systematically stole and destroyed), and another, personally curated by Hitler, to celebrate "Classic Art." This documentary explores the Nazis' complex relationship with both classical and modern art, showcasing a vast collection of masterpieces by artists like Botticelli, Klee, Matisse, Monet, Chagall, Renoir, and Gauguin, alongside personal stories from the darkest period of the 20th century. A compelling investigation into the Nazis’ fascination with artistic expression, *Hitler vs. Picasso* blends history, art, and human drama for a powerful cinematic experience.IMDb 6.8TMDB 7.3 - 28
LautrecMovie · 1998 · 125mHenri de Toulouse-Lautrec, a renowned French painter, thrived in the vibrant cultural scene of Montmartre, Paris, during the late 1800s. He battled lifelong health problems, often linked to inbreeding. His life and art perfectly embody the bohemian spirit of late 19th-century Paris. He was hired to create posters for the opening of the Moulin Rouge cabaret. A heavy drinker with a fondness for absinthe, Lautrec also had a passionate relationship with the French painter Suzanne Valadon.IMDb 6.6TMDB 4.9 - 29
Edvard MunchMovie · 1974 · 221m · TV Movie, History, DramaThe film explores Edvard Munch's difficult life, shaped by a childhood of loss and illness, including the deaths of his mother and sister, and his own serious health struggles. At university, he discovers a talent for painting, using it to express the intense emotions he's felt. Becoming involved in a radical cultural movement with figures like Hans Jæger, Munch pushes artistic boundaries, mirroring the raw emotion in his work, including "The Scream." The film examines how grief, illness, and art deeply influenced Munch's life and his lasting impact on the art world.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.3 - 30
The Agony and the EcstasyMovie · 1965 · 138m · Drama, HistoryDuring the Italian Renaissance, this film explores the complicated relationship between Pope Julius II and Michelangelo, a renowned artist. The powerful Pope commissions Michelangelo to sculpt forty statues for his tomb, but then asks him to paint a mural in the Sistine Chapel instead.
Unsure of his painting skills and daunted by the project's size, Michelangelo initially gives up. He’s drawn back to the task by inspiration. However, his artistic ideas clash with Pope Julius II’s strong personality, creating conflict between their differing visions and questioning artistic freedom during a time heavily influenced by religion.
The story examines creativity, ambition, and faith against the backdrop of a pivotal historical period, prompting viewers to consider the relationship between individual artistic expression and societal expectations.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.1 - 31
FridaMovie · 2002 · 123m · Drama, RomanceThis is a biography of Frida Kahlo, the artist who transformed the suffering from a severe physical injury and a turbulent marriage into powerful works of art.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.4 - 32
Paradise FoundMovie · 2003 · 89mParadise Found is a biography of the painter Paul Gauguin. It centers on his internal struggle between his responsibilities to his family and his life in France, and his pursuit of a new artistic path in Tahiti. Through vivid imagery, the film depicts Gauguin's efforts to build a successful life as an artist in the South Pacific, deliberately distancing himself from French society.IMDb 5.7TMDB 6.4 - 33
Van Gogh: Painted with WordsMovie · 2010 · 80m · Drama, DocumentaryAlan Yentob presents this drama-documentary starring Benedict Cumberbatch. The film features only dialogue drawn from Vincent van Gogh's letters to his brother Theo and others in his life. The result is a detailed portrayal of a refined, cultured, and deeply troubled individual.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.3 - 34
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 - 35
Marina Abramović: The Artist Is PresentMovie · 2012 · 106m · DocumentaryMarina Abramović, a renowned performance artist, is preparing for a significant exhibition of her work at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.3 - 36
PollockMovie · 2000 · 132m · Drama, HistoryIn August 1949, Life Magazine asked the question, "Jackson Pollock: Is he the greatest living painter in the United States?" This film explores the life of an exceptional man, often described as "an artist dedicated to concealment, a celebrity nobody knew." Battling self-doubt and a conflict between his desire for expression and his need for isolation, Pollock entered a period of decline.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.7 - 37
The SquareMovie · 2017 · 151m · DramaThe head art curator at a renowned museum in Stockholm faces difficulties both at work and in his private life as he works to organize a highly debated new exhibition.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.7 - 38
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 - 39
The Mill and the CrossMovie · 2011 · 96m · Drama, HistoryImagine stepping into a famous painting, watching it unfold around you, and seeing the artist sketch the scene as it happens. From acclaimed Polish filmmaker Lech Majewski, *The Mill and the Cross* is a film that recreates Pieter Bruegel's masterpiece, "Procession to Calvary," while also telling the story of how Bruegel painted it.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.4 - 40
MaudieMovie · 2016 · 115m · Drama, RomanceCanadian folk artist Maud Lewis develops a romantic relationship with a fishmonger while living with him as his housekeeper.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.7 - 41
KlimtMovie · 2006 · 131m · Drama, RomanceThis is a look at Austrian artist Gustav Klimt, known for his opulent and sensual paintings that became a hallmark of the Art Nouveau movement in the late 1800s and early 1900s.IMDb 5.1TMDB 5.1 - 42
The BlockMovie · 2006 · 90m · Drama, HistoryDuring the mid-1960s, privileged socialite Edie Sedgwick encounters artist Andy Warhol. She becomes a central figure at Warhol's Factory and his primary muse. Despite outward appearances of success, Edie struggles to gain genuine affection from Warhol and begins an affair with a captivating musician. He encourages her to break free from Warhol's world and forge her own path.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.0 - 43
Surviving PicassoMovie · 1996 · 125m · Drama, RomanceThe Merchant-Ivory film tells the compelling story of Francoise Gilot, a woman who confronted the volatile personality of Pablo Picasso. The film follows Gilot’s strength and resolve as she experiences the difficulties of love and art with one of history's most famous artists. It reveals their complicated and often difficult relationship, showing Picasso's harshness and Gilot's determination to leave him and build a life for herself. It’s a story about love, sacrifice, and finding independence within the intense world of art.IMDb 6.3TMDB 5.7 - 44
TranceMovie · 2013 · 101m · Thriller, Crime, DramaA violent gang hires a hypnotherapist to find a painting that disappeared during a robbery.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.6 - 45
Pontormo - Un amore ereticoMovie · 2004IMDb 5.7TMDB 6.0 - 46
Goya's GhostsMovie · 2006 · 114m · Drama, HistorySpanish painter Francisco Goya becomes entangled with the Spanish Inquisition when his inspiration, Inés, is accused of heresy and arrested by the church. Her family appeals to Goya, believing his relationship with the zealous Inquisitor Lorenzo, whom Goya is portraying in a painting, might help secure her freedom.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.6 - 47
Van GoghMovie · 1991 · 158m · DramaThis film portrays Vincent van Gogh after leaving an asylum, finding refuge with Dr. Gachet. While struggling with his mental health, he finds solace in painting, using art to cope with his inner struggles. A relationship develops between van Gogh and Dr. Gachet's daughter, but she discovers his love is primarily for his art. The story explores themes of unrequited love and the power of artistic expression during personal hardship, depicting the life of a gifted artist navigating love and loss.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.7
