9 Must-Watch Films About Painters

1. The Agony And The Ecstasy (1965)

Unlike the films that involve the lives of recent, or modern, artists, The Agony And The Ecstasy is an imagined look at the process through which Michelangelo (Charlton Heston) creates the artwork of the Sistine Chapel. In a stunning portrait of the commitment and sacrifice that is required to make an immortal work of art, it takes years to complete the work and comes at extreme personal cost. Heston pours as much of his soul into the portrayal of the iconic artist as Michelangelo did the Sistine Chapel, and Rex Harrison is a compelling costar as Pope Julius II.

Charlton Hetson as Michelangelo in The Agony and the Ecstasy 1965

2. Loving Vincent (2017)

In one of the most ambitious projects of the past ten years, Loving Vincent utilizes an oil painting in van Gogh's style for every frame of the film, with 125 international artists contributing to the finished product. Told in the wake of van Gogh's death, the film primarily explores his later years and, through the paintings, captures a deep truth about his inner turmoil. The innovation of the combination of art forms was a clever way to represent the world as van Gogh saw it and followed in his footsteps in terms of exploring the next phase of visual art.

Vincent Van Gogh in Loving Vincent 2017

3. Basquiat (1996)

It's hard to think of a more capable actor to take on the role of Jean-Michel Basquiat than Jeffery Wright, a performer known for his incredible range and deep empathy. Focusing on the peak of Basquiat's career and his friendship with Andy Warhol, played by a surprisingly good David Bowie, Basquiat paints a rich portrait of New York City during a time of cultural revolution. Unfortunately, the weakest aspect of the film is Julian Schnabel's directing, as the film was his debut. Regardless, Wright is a master of his craft, and he and Bowie have enough chemistry to make the film an interesting watch.

Jeffery Wright as Jean-Michel Basquiat in Basquiat 1996

4. Big Eyes (2014)

For too long, the real Margaret Keane went unrecognized for her inventive style, as her husband, Walter Keane, stole her work to present as his own. The legal battle that led to her talent coming to light is played out in Big Eyes, a title referring to the signature haunting and enormous eyes of the subjects in her paintings. Amy Adams plays Keane next to a fearsome Christoph Waltz, who plays her husband. The film stands out among artists' biopics because it ends so happily. Keane ends up revered for her work, and her husband's public image is destroyed.

Amy Adams as Margaret Keane in Big Eyes 2014

5. Pollock (2000)

Directed by and starring Ed Harris as Jackson Pollock himself, he captures the artist's rise to fame as well as his lifelong battle with alcoholism. One of the aspects of Pollock that the film touches upon, was his staunch belief in his experimental style and refusal to compromise to make his work more commercial. However, the film is also unafraid to critique Pollock and his treatment of the women in his life, and the tragic circumstances of his death. Even among these personal failings, Pollock's ability as an artist is what comes through the most in the film.

Ed Harris as Jackson Pollock in Pollock 2000

6. Maudie (2016)

Maud Lewis was an intriguing figure in her time and the film Maudie brought back interest in her work and life. Sally Hawkins is an unflappable Lewis, determined to see the best in life as well as the people around her. The film takes a distinctly optimistic tone for a life that was plagued by sadness by presenting her hardships as a matter of fact. This humanizes her experience as one with just as much love and loss as anyone else. Overall, the film centers on the relationship between Lewis and her husband Everett (Ethan Hawke), rather than her art.

Sally Hawkins as Maud Lewis in Maudie 2016

7. At Eternity’s Gate (2018)

In one of the greatest portrayals of van Gogh, Willem Dafoe stars as the tortured painter in At Eternity's Gate. Primarily dealing with the final years of his life, the film makes a bold statement about van Gogh's cause of death. Dafoe is regarded as the best part of the film, as well as the naturalistic setting that van Gogh surrounded himself in throughout the final part of his life. In a kind and compelling portrait of a complicated man, the film makes the viewer realize that some parts of his life will always be lost to time.

Willem Dafoe as Van Gogh in At Eternity's Gate 2018

8. Camille Claudel (1988)

The lot of female artists for many centuries, and to this day, was to go unnoticed and overshadowed by the men surrounding them. Camille Claudel (Isabelle Adjani) was a bright, talented young sculptor who did not achieve the fame she deserved, in part because of her relationship with the artist Auguste Rodin (Gérard Depardieu). Their affair takes an emotional toll on her, as do the societal expectations for women that work to prevent her from showcasing her work. Adjani plays Claudel simply, but to enormous effect as she journeys down the road of great talent and growing mental instability.

Isabelle Adjani as Camille Claudel in Camille Claudel 1988

9. Lust For Life (1956)

Vincent van Gogh is an extremely popular subject when it comes to explorations into the lives of artists, but most likely this is because he was never recognized for his genius when he was alive. In an early example of such stories, Lust For Life stars Kirk Douglas as van Gogh, and chronicles the many hardships that the painter faced. Douglas was lauded for effectively capturing the ever-changing emotional state of van Gogh, and the vividly colored cinematography set the bar for all future van Gogh adaptations. Though the story is rather straightforward and doesn't ask much of the audience, the film is still an important part of the artistic genre.

Kirk Douglas as Van Gogh in Lust For Life 1956