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? ​

UPDATE 2018: Unfortunately the original IMDB list of '51 films about artists' that this post was based on, is no longer available.

However, you can still find links to some of my favourites in this post.

Films about Spanish artists

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.

Salma Hayek in the movie Frida 2002

From masters to humble servants

 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'.
• Kirk Douglas channeling Van Gogh in Lust for Life.

Scene from the film, Painted Fire, 2002

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?

Please share in the comments below. 
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