The 20 best films about artists

Since the birth of cinema, numerous films have been appearing 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 must-see movies for every art lover or, simply, for anyone who wants to learn or improve their artistic knowledge.

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20 films about artists to love (more) art

The word "art" is very broad; It not only includes 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 cinematographic offer 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 homonymous novel by Tracy Chevalier, revolves around Griet, a young woman who enters to serve in the house of the painter. Through the girl's eyes, we delve into Vermeer's life and the process of creating his work. An exquisite and intimate film that you cannot stop watching 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 on 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 life and artistic trajectory of the painter.

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3. mr turnerby Mike Leigh (2014)

Careful staging of one of Great Britain's great pictorial geniuses. A leisurely and delicious film that perfectly recreates the light and atmosphere of the painter's work. In summary, a well-deserved tribute to an artist who was more than 50 years ahead of impressionism.

4. Moulin Rougeby John Huston (1952)

The Paris of the end of the century recreated in a spectacular way. The film follows the trajectory 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. Torment and Ecstasy (The Agony and the Ecstasy)by Carol Reed (1965)

The difficult relationship between Pope Julius II and Michelangelo brought to the screen from the novel by Irving Stone. It is one of the most remembered artists' films, partly due to the extraordinary chemistry stage 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 Nuyten (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 Rodinher, then she became her lover and, finally, she ended up confined and forgotten in a psychiatric hospital. History has shown that Claudel's work was as great or even more brilliant than that of his teacher and, luckily, little by little he began to recover his memory.

7. Andrei Rublevby Andrei Tarkovsky (1966)

Mythical film that narrates the life of the icon painter of medieval Russia Andrei Rublev. Recreated in beautiful black and white and with the unmistakable seal of the great Tarkovsky, the film is a jewel of soviet cinema, which you cannot miss if you want to know a little more about Russia in the 15th century.

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8. rembrandtby Alexander Korda (1936)

The great Charles Laughton puts himself in the shoes of the famous Dutch painter in this memorable film. The story revolves around the depression that the painter drags after the death of his wife, and the consolation that he later finds with the very young Hendrickje. A true classic 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 an always wonderful Paco Rabal, he recalls his golden youthful years.

10. Fridaby Julie Taylor (2002)

Biopic that recalls the tempestuous relationship between the great Mexican artist and her husband, the also painter Diego Rivera. The film reflects how this toxic relationship, as well as the aftermath of the serious accident suffered by the artist, influenced Frida's painting.

11. The lovers of Montparnasse (Les amants de Montparnasse)by Jacques Becker (1958)

Although it is not too 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 fellow artist Jeanne Hebuterne. The young woman became his muse and was the protagonist of many of his portraits.

12. Drunk with women and painting (Chihwaseon)by Im Kwon-taek (2002)

The life of the 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. Reveron, by 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 relations with Juanita, his muse and companion, as well as as well as the psychological decline that he is gradually suffering and how it all affects his universe pictorial.

14. El Grecoby Yannis Smaragdis (2011)

Biopic of the famous painter of Greek origin Domenicos Theotokopoulos, better known as "El Greco". The film follows her adventures from her native island, Crete, to Toledo, the city where she settled, and portrays her troubled relationship with the Inquisition. The always enveloping music by Vangelis puts the finishing touch to the film.

15. big eyesby Tim Burton (2014)

The Margaret Keane Story, American artist who became famous in the 1950s for her paintings of figures with huge eyes. The film also narrates the legal fight that the artist had with her husband, who had claimed responsibility for her works.

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16. renoirby Gilles Bourdos (2012)

The particularity is not that the film is based on a novel (as, in fact, usually happens) but that said novel is written by the very great-grandson of the impressionist painter. The film covers the years of retirement that Renoir lived in Cagnes-sur-mer, on the French Riviera. Specifically, it takes place in the year 1915, just when his son, Jean Renoir (the great filmmaker) returns wounded 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 eighteenth century, Utamaro paints Japanese prints, the famous ukiyo-e that would so fascinate the European painters of the 19th century. The film narrates the artist's relationship with the women he chooses as models, most of them chosen from the most select brothels.

18. Maudie, the color of life (Maudie)by Aisling Walsh (2016)

The story of Maud Lewis, who grew from a humble housewife in Nova Scotia to one of Canada's most celebrated 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 eventually ends up marrying. The film endearingly 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 her family does not, of course, approve of. Her meeting with the painter Édouard Manet will change her life and guide her steps to become an excellent painter.

20. 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, the filmmaker Ingmar Bergman described it as "great". The tape tells us about the life and work of Edvuard Munch, one of the greatest exponents of expressionist painting. The fact that much of the dialogue is taken from the painter's diaries attests to the realistic intention of the film.