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Visual artists biographies is a popular theme in the movie world. Moviemakers have always been fascinated by visual artists biographies
especially if it includes struggle with insanity
drug addiction or social conventions. In addition
it gives them an opportunity to depict original or resurrected artworks on the big screen.
Here you can read about some of the most interesting movies about visual artists biographies.
Lust for Life directed by Vincente Minnelli in 1952

Vincent Van Gogh biography had gained several cinematic adaptations. Lust for Life with Kirk Douglas as the struggling artist is one of the most notable. The movie is based on a best selling book by Irving Stone
who also authored The Agony and the Ecstasy about Michelangelo
which also had appeared on the silver screen.

If you are a fan of Van Gogh artwork
you would enjoy watching Last for Life
which features almost 200 of Van Goghs original paintings. However
if you are familiar with Kirk Douglas previous filmographic
seeing him as a tortured Dutch painter might take a little adjustment. Another recommended film about Van Gogh is Robert Altmans Vincent and Theo from 1990.

Surviving Picasso directed by James Ivory in 1996

Like Van Gogh
Pablo Picasso image made him an iconic figure outside the artistic circles. While Van Gogh symbolizes the self destructive
manic depressive artist who achieves success only after his death
Picasso represents the misanthropic and womanizer artist. Picasso infamous relationship with women is the focus of this Merchant and Ivory film. The story is told from the eyes of Picasso mistress Francoise Gilot and features only reproductions of Picasso works. With Anthony Hopkins talent and his physical resemblance to Picasso
Surviving Picasso manages to create an unflattering portrait of an artist as a cruel
self centered genius.

Girl with Pearl Earring directed by Peter Webber in 2003


Comparing to Van Gogh and Picasso
Vermeers biography is less known and less controversial. Therefore Girl with Pearl Earring is much more restrained and delicate. The movie focuses on a short period in Vermeers life in which he was painting the portrait of his young low class maid. Although Girl with Pearl Earring does not avoid filmic conventions by over dramatizing Vermeers painting process
the movie is worth watching if only for its artistic design
which success in evoking Vermeers perception of light and color.

Basquiat directed by Julian Schnabel in 1996

The most common critique against movies that deals with visual arts is the way they depict the creation process. Therefore
there were big expectations from Basquiat
which was directed by the celebrated painter Julian Schnabel. Schnabel did well in depicting Jean Michelle Basquiat rise and fall story in less the predictable manner we have seen millions time before. However
the only reason to watch Basquiat is David Bowie plays the role of Andy Warhol.

Frida directed by Julie Taymor in 2002

Like most of the visual artists who had their life story appear on the silver screen
Frida Kahlo carried an unusual biography
which includes bus accident
problematic marriage
and an affair with Leon Trotsky. Like Van Gogh
Picasso and Jackson Pollock
who was the subject of a biopic from 2000
Frida Kahlo was an icon long before Frida was released
but the 123 minutes film did help to strength her position as a feminist idol and probably the most famous woman painter of the 20 century. Frida tries its best to integrate Frida Kahlo life story with her painting and the result is very colorful and pleasant
but still does not stay far enough from the conventions of depicting artists on film.