Five Movies About Artists

This painting is sixth in the series, “Sign Paintings”

The other day I realized just how many movies there are about artists, and how they’ve inspired me over the years.  So I thought I’d put together a quick list of five of my favorites.  This is not a complete list, but it’s enough to get started.  I’ll continue to add to it over time.

1.  The Agony and the Ecstasy  A 1965 film about Michelangelo and the painting of the Sistine Chapel.  Charlton Heston as Michelangelo and Rex Harrison as Pope Julius II.  I first saw this movie on television on NBC’s “Sunday Night at The Movies,” if anyone remembers what that was…

2. Pollock   The scenes of Jackson Pollock actually making paintings are terrific.  Ed Harris is great in any movie he makes and he does resemble Jackson Pollock.  His wife, the artist Lee Krasner, is played by Marcia Gay Harden, who won an Oscar for this film.  This movie was released in 2000.

3. Rembrandt   Played by Charles Laughton.  This is a real oldie, made in the 1930’s, in black and white.  I saw this movie when I was a kid, also on TV.  I seem to remember a scene where he tastes the paint.  I guess it’s time to watch it again…

4. Frida  2004  The Life of Frida Kahlo.  With Salma Hayek and one of my favorite actors, Alfred Molina.  Full of color and great music, this film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Actress.

and last but not least…

5. Lust for Life  The life of Vincent Van Gogh.  What Amazon calls a “biodrama.”  This is the 1955 version, with Kirk Douglas as Van Gogh (Oscar nominated for this film) and Anthony Quinn as Paul Gaugin.  I just re-watched this film over the weekend.  Fantastic.

Enjoy!