How Do I
Motion Pictures about Artists
Yearning for a movie with angst? A painter's life is full of it. Check out one of these feature films and then follow up with real-life documentaries from our collection.
Basquiat (1996)
In 1981 Jean Michel Basquiat (Jeffrey Wright), a nineteen-year-old unknown graffiti writer, takes the New York art world by storm. More about Jean Michel Basquiat.
In 1981 Jean Michel Basquiat (Jeffrey Wright), a nineteen-year-old unknown graffiti writer, takes the New York art world by storm. More about Jean Michel Basquiat.
The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965)
When Pope Julius II (Rex Harrison) commissions Michelangelo (Charlton Heston) to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the artist initially refuses. Virtually forced to do the job by Julius, he later destroys his own work and flees Rome. Eventually resumed, the project becomes a battle of wills fueled by the artistic and temperamental differences that form the core of this movie. Based on the novel by Irving Stone. More about Michelangelo.
When Pope Julius II (Rex Harrison) commissions Michelangelo (Charlton Heston) to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the artist initially refuses. Virtually forced to do the job by Julius, he later destroys his own work and flees Rome. Eventually resumed, the project becomes a battle of wills fueled by the artistic and temperamental differences that form the core of this movie. Based on the novel by Irving Stone. More about Michelangelo.
Caravaggio (1986)
The volatile life of the eponymous 17th-century painter is gorgeously re-imagined through his brilliant near-blasphemous paintings and flirtations with the Roman underworld. More about Caravaggio.
The volatile life of the eponymous 17th-century painter is gorgeously re-imagined through his brilliant near-blasphemous paintings and flirtations with the Roman underworld. More about Caravaggio.
Camille Claudel (1989)
A historically accurate depiction of one of the most important collaborations in the history of art, that of legendary sculptor Rodin (Gerard Depardieu), and the creative prodigy Camille Claudel (Isabelle Adjani). Based on Camille: The Life of Camille Claudel, Rodin's Muse and Mistress by Reine-Marie Paris. More about Rodin.
A historically accurate depiction of one of the most important collaborations in the history of art, that of legendary sculptor Rodin (Gerard Depardieu), and the creative prodigy Camille Claudel (Isabelle Adjani). Based on Camille: The Life of Camille Claudel, Rodin's Muse and Mistress by Reine-Marie Paris. More about Rodin.
Frida (2002)
The life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (Salma Hayek), from her upbringing in Mexico City to her worldwide fame and controversy that surrounded both her and her famous muralist husband, Diego Rivera (Alfred Molina). Based on the book Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera. More about Frida Kahlo.
The life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (Salma Hayek), from her upbringing in Mexico City to her worldwide fame and controversy that surrounded both her and her famous muralist husband, Diego Rivera (Alfred Molina). Based on the book Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera. More about Frida Kahlo.
Girl With a Pearl Earring (2004)
17-year-old Griet (Scarlett Johansson) must work to support her family, so she becomes a maid in the house of Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth), where she attracts the master painter's attention. He is commissioned to paint Griet, and the result is one of the greatest paintings ever created. Based on the novel by Tracy Chevalier. More about Vermeer.
17-year-old Griet (Scarlett Johansson) must work to support her family, so she becomes a maid in the house of Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth), where she attracts the master painter's attention. He is commissioned to paint Griet, and the result is one of the greatest paintings ever created. Based on the novel by Tracy Chevalier. More about Vermeer.
Goya in Bordeaux (2000)
In Bordeaux, France, in the early 1800's, Goya suffers from strange visions and nightmares. While his young daughter cares for him, Goya reflects on his tumultuous career: a time when a passionate love affair with the beautiful Duchess of Alba and the evil crusade of Napoleon's French army inspire Goya's most shocking, brilliant paintings - works that change the art world forever. More about Goya.
In Bordeaux, France, in the early 1800's, Goya suffers from strange visions and nightmares. While his young daughter cares for him, Goya reflects on his tumultuous career: a time when a passionate love affair with the beautiful Duchess of Alba and the evil crusade of Napoleon's French army inspire Goya's most shocking, brilliant paintings - works that change the art world forever. More about Goya.
Goya's Ghosts (2006)
Told through the eyes of celebrated Spanish painter Francisco Goya (Stellan Skarsgård). Set against political turmoil at the end of the Spanish Inquisition and start of the invasion of Spain by Napoleon's army. Captures the essence and beauty of Goya's work which is best known for both the colorful depictions of the royal court and its people, and his grim depictions of the brutality of war and life in 18th century Spain. When Goya's beautiful muse is accused of being a heretic, the renowned painter must convince his old friend Lorenzo (Javier Bardem), a power-hungry monk and leader of the Spanish Inquisition, to spare her life. More about Goya.
Told through the eyes of celebrated Spanish painter Francisco Goya (Stellan Skarsgård). Set against political turmoil at the end of the Spanish Inquisition and start of the invasion of Spain by Napoleon's army. Captures the essence and beauty of Goya's work which is best known for both the colorful depictions of the royal court and its people, and his grim depictions of the brutality of war and life in 18th century Spain. When Goya's beautiful muse is accused of being a heretic, the renowned painter must convince his old friend Lorenzo (Javier Bardem), a power-hungry monk and leader of the Spanish Inquisition, to spare her life. More about Goya.
Lust for Life (1956)
The story of Vincent van Gogh (Kirk Douglas), an artist torn between the joyous inspiration of his genius and the dark desperation of his tormented mind. Also starring Anthony Quinn as Gauguin. Based on the novel by Irving Stone. More about Van Gogh.
The story of Vincent van Gogh (Kirk Douglas), an artist torn between the joyous inspiration of his genius and the dark desperation of his tormented mind. Also starring Anthony Quinn as Gauguin. Based on the novel by Irving Stone. More about Van Gogh.
Moulin Rouge (1952)
As a dwarf, Toulouse-Lautrec (Jose Ferrer) believes he's too ugly to ever fall in love. So he loses himself in painting ... and cognac. A fixture at Paris' infamous turn-of-the-century Moulin Rouge nightclub, Lautrec meets a girl from the street ... who breaks his heart. More about Toulouse Lautrec.
As a dwarf, Toulouse-Lautrec (Jose Ferrer) believes he's too ugly to ever fall in love. So he loses himself in painting ... and cognac. A fixture at Paris' infamous turn-of-the-century Moulin Rouge nightclub, Lautrec meets a girl from the street ... who breaks his heart. More about Toulouse Lautrec.
Pollock (2000)
Fellow artists and lovers Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner are at the center of New York's 1940's art scene, but as Krasner neglects her work to push Pollock's career forward, Pollock begins to unravel emotionally. Pollock and Krasner escape to the country to marry, and soon, Pollock creates the work that makes him the first internationally-famous modern painter in America. But with fame and fortune comes a volatile temper and severe self-doubt; before long, Pollock's life threatens to explode. Based on Jackson Pollock: An American Saga by Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith. More about Jackson Pollock.
Fellow artists and lovers Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner are at the center of New York's 1940's art scene, but as Krasner neglects her work to push Pollock's career forward, Pollock begins to unravel emotionally. Pollock and Krasner escape to the country to marry, and soon, Pollock creates the work that makes him the first internationally-famous modern painter in America. But with fame and fortune comes a volatile temper and severe self-doubt; before long, Pollock's life threatens to explode. Based on Jackson Pollock: An American Saga by Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith. More about Jackson Pollock.
El Sol del Membrillo (Dream of Light) (1992)
During the autumn months of 1990, Antonio López Garcia the artist attempts to paint a ripening quince tree in the garden of his house in Madrid. The play of light on the leaves and the splendour of the golden fruit proves increasingly elusive to capture as the nights draw in and the fruit begins to drop. Life goes on around the painting and López is visited by friends and fellow artists who provide lighthearted interludes.
During the autumn months of 1990, Antonio López Garcia the artist attempts to paint a ripening quince tree in the garden of his house in Madrid. The play of light on the leaves and the splendour of the golden fruit proves increasingly elusive to capture as the nights draw in and the fruit begins to drop. Life goes on around the painting and López is visited by friends and fellow artists who provide lighthearted interludes.
Surviving Picasso (1996)
Story of the ledgendary artist Pable Picasso (Anthony Hopkins). The world knew his passion for canvas, color, metal and ceramics, but little was known about his other passion -- women. Told from the viewpoint of his longtime mistress and mother of his children, Claude and Paloma. Based on the book "Picasso" by Arianna Stassinopoulos Huffington. More about Picasso.
Story of the ledgendary artist Pable Picasso (Anthony Hopkins). The world knew his passion for canvas, color, metal and ceramics, but little was known about his other passion -- women. Told from the viewpoint of his longtime mistress and mother of his children, Claude and Paloma. Based on the book "Picasso" by Arianna Stassinopoulos Huffington. More about Picasso.
