50 Films about Artists

Goya's Ghosts, 2006

Insights into the life of artists are always intriguing but if you've got too many other books on your reading list right now to tackle an artist auto/biography, why not relax with a movie instead? 

This list of 51 films about artists (ok, I lied for the sake of a better headline!) from Mike Sean on iMdb, has got something for every taste. While featuring many of my favourites, it also tantalised me with many I'd never even heard of.

Frida, 2002

Painted Fire 2002

My personal list of greats naturally includes a heavy dose of Spanish artists - 'Goya's Ghosts' starring Javier Bardem and Natalie Portman; 'El Greco'; and of course 'Surviving Picasso' with the great man impeccably played by Anthony Hopkins. 

I also have to include the perfect portrayal by Salma Hayek of the inimitable 'Frida' and Alfred Molina's incredible incarnation of her husband Diego Rivera; 'Séraphine' a wonderful French film about a humble servant with a secret passion for painting; Andy García's masterful portrayal of 'Modigliani' and Ed Harris as the living spit of wild Jackson 'Pollock'.

To my 'Watch' list, I've now added, Artemisia, the story of the youth of Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1653) one of the first well-known female painters; the Korean film Painted Fire directed by Kwon-taek Im; Klimt starring one of my favourite actors, John Malkovich; and finally, for variety, 'I Shot Andy Warhol' based on the true story of 60s radical Valerie Solanas.
 
What are your favourite art films? Do they appear on Sean's list? Please share in the comments below. 

A blog without comments is like a movie without popcorn...