Artists Biographies on Film: Top Movies about Visual Artists

Though artists are diverse, they all share one element in common: their work is visually stunning. Rather than learn about these masters of creativity from behind a book, why not explore the film world? Whether through documentary or dramatic storytelling, many movies explore important lives of artists and the art that makes them so famous.

What follows are the top 10 movies about visual artists on Netflix.

1  "Pollock" explores the life and career of genius abstract expressionist painter Jackson Pollock in this modern classic featuring a superb performance by Ed Harris as Pollock. The movie traces Pollock's journey from his beginnings as a struggling artist to the heights of his career following a seminal New York exhibition. Though Pollock's alcoholism and troubled marriage are central themes in the film, the movie is ultimately a tribute to his artistic genius.

2 "Basquiat" recounts the story of American painter Jean-Michel Basquiat, who became one of the biggest names in New York's downtown art scene during the 1980s before dying at age 27 from an overdose. The film offers an intimate look at Basquiat through interviews with friends and family members. It also includes footage of Basquiat's artwork with commentary by noted art critic Robert Hughes.

3 "Frida" is a biopic of beloved Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, who was one of the most famous Latin American artists of the 20th century. The film chronicles Kahlo's life and includes scenes from her artwork, which are shown side by side with images from the movie. Salma Hayek stars as Kahlo and Alfred Molina plays her husband, Diego Rivera. The film earned seven Oscar nominations and three Golden Globe Award wins in 2003.

4 "Pollock" is another biopic of Pollock's life starring Ed Harris in the title role alongside Marcia Gay Harden as Lee Krasner, Pollock's wife and fellow artist. Pollock is portrayed as a deeply troubled yet brilliant artist. The movie traces his rise from obscurity to his extraordinary gifts and the resulting fame that followed.

5 "My Architect" tells the story of Mexican architect Luis Barragán, who was famous for unique designs for buildings such as the Museum of Modern Art in Mexico City and San Francisco's Coit Tower. The film features interviews with Barragán's many famous clients to get an intimate look at his designs and his life.

6 "The Artist" is a French silent film about an aspiring actor in Paris who falls in love with a young actress. Aided by some friendly prostitutes and his best friend, the actor attempts to make it big in the theater. Made famous in 2011, it has been called an "instant classic."

7 "à la folie" centers around visual artist René Magritte who was famous for his work with Surrealism during World War II. The movie follows Magritte's life from his early days as an art student to the highs of his success and times of financial struggle.

Conclusion: There have been many films about visual arts, but these are the top movies about visual artists on Netflix. The list includes biopics, documentaries and other artistic endeavors that honor the legends of art and their work.

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All images displayed by "Pollock" are in the public domain and were retrieved from Wikipedia Commons. The image by Jean-Michel Basquiat is also in the public domain and retrieved from Fine Art America. The image by Frida Kahlo is licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons. The image by Luis Barragán is licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons. All other images are subject to copyright and used for illustrative purposes only – no infringement intended.