Five Famous Artworks Featured in Movies

Art has long been a source of inspiration for filmmakers, who use iconic pieces to add depth, symbolism and beauty to their scenes. Here are five famous artworks that have graced the silver screen over the last century.

The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci (The Da Vinci Code, 2006)

Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper plays a pivotal role in Ron Howard’s The Da Vinci Code, based on Dan Brown’s bestselling novel.

The painting becomes central to the narrative’s conspiracy, with its depiction of Christ and the apostles interpreted to hold secret clues. The film captures the mystique of this Renaissance masterpiece while delving into its cultural and religious significance.

The movie’s plot may be fictional, but it sparks curiosity about one of the most studied artworks in history.

Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer (Girl with a Pearl Earring, 2003)

This striking painting by Johannes Vermeer inspired both the novel by Tracy Chevalier and the film adaptation, which imagines the story behind the artwork.

Scarlett Johansson’s portrayal of the enigmatic maid brings Vermeer’s creation to life, mirroring the quiet intensity of the painting. The film brilliantly captures the subtleties of Vermeer’s use of light and colour, paying homage to this marvellous piece.

The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dalí (Midnight in Paris, 2011)

Woody Allen’s whimsical film Midnight in Paris takes viewers on a time-travelling journey through 1920s Paris. Salvador Dalí, played by Adrien Brody, references his surrealist masterpiece The Persistence of Memory, famous for its melting clocks.

Though the painting itself doesn’t appear in the film, its essence emerges through Dalí as a character, reinforcing the sense of surrealism and artistic exploration that defined the era.

It’s the sort of artwork that inspires you to pick up art painting brushes and have a go yourself.

The Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault (Pandora’s Box, 1929)

In G.W. Pabst’s silent masterpiece Pandora’s Box, Géricault’s dramatic The Raft of the Medusa is subtly referenced. The film shares the painting’s themes of human desperation and the consequences of moral failure.

While the artwork isn’t directly featured, its emotional intensity parallels the narrative arc of Lulu, the film’s tragic heroine, amplifying the sense of impending doom.

Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh (Loving Vincent, 2017)

Loving Vincent is a groundbreaking film that explores the troubled life and mysterious death of one of the world’s most revered painters.

Van Gogh’s iconic Starry Night comes alive through innovative animation that mimics his signature brushwork, as well as other artworks seamlessly woven into the story. With its iconic swirling skies and vivid colour palette, Starry Night becomes a visual anchor for the emotional and artistic journey of the film.