12 Side-By-Side Comparisons Of The Portrayal of Historical Figures in Paintings and Films

The use of history in cinema isn’t something new. Movie creators act as storytellers and a good storyteller never lets the truth turn into an entertaining story. However, it is true that in recent years, historically-based films are often distorted to accommodate artistic license and make sure commercial success. These movies are not intended as documentaries.
But in an age where the stories of historical figures are well-documented and access to this information is easier, people feel eager as they are portrayed by actors on the big screen. Outside of the negative effects of historical movies, the producers tried to bring on-screen historical figures that look like the real ones as much as possible.
Portraying historical people in epic films or biopics is not the only way to see them. Back in time, many talented painters depicted them accurately and many of their artworks have held their value over hundreds of years.
Below are some comparisons of the portrayal of historical figures in paintings and films. You can see more in this article.

#1 Vincent Van Gogh

Source: © Self-Portrait (1887) / Vincent van Gogh / Artvee.com, Courtesy Everett Collection / East News

Van Gogh's life was brought to the screen in the 1956 American film, Lust for Life.

#2 Cleopatra

Source: © Cleopatra / Władysław Czachórski / Artvee.com, © Cleopatra / Twentieth Century Fox and co-producers

The epic film Cleopatra, which portrays the romances between Cleopatra and her suitors from Rome, Mark Antony and Julius Caesar, was released in 1963.

#3 Napoleon Bonaparte

Source: © The Emperor Napoleon in His Study at the Tuileries / Jacques Louis David / Artvee.com, © Désirée / Twentieth Century Fox

Napoleon was played by Marlon Brando in the 1954 drama Désirée by Henry Koster.

#4 Christopher Columbus

Source: © Portrait of a Man, said to be Christopher Columbus / Sebastiano del Piombo / Artvee.com, © 1492: Conquest of Paradise / Gaumont and co-producers

The movie 1492: Conquest of Paradise, which was released in 1992, starred French actor Gérard Depardieu as Christopher Columbus.

#5 Shakespeare

Source: © Shakespeare Reading / William Page / Artvee.com, © Shakespeare in Love / Universal Pictures and co-producers

Joseph Fiennes took on the role of Shakespeare in the iconic Oscar-winning 1998 film Shakespeare in Love.

#6 Joan of Arc

Source: © Joan of Arc / William Blake Richmond / Artvee.com, © The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc / Gaumont and co-producers

Milla Jovovich’s most important role in her career was precisely the one of Joan of Arc in Luc Besson’s 1999 film The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc.

#7 Ludwig van Beethoven

Source: © Portrait of Ludwig van Beethoven when composing the Missa Solemnis / Karl Joseph Stieler / Wikimedia Commons, © Copying Beethoven / Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and co-producers

This prominent musical figure was played onscreen by Ed Harris in the 2006 film Copying Beethoven.

#8 Aristotle

Source: © Aristotle / Luca Giordano / Artvee.com, © Alexander / Warner Bros. and co-producers

Christopher Plummer appears as Aristotle in the 2004 movie Alexander.

#9 Michelangelo Buonarroti

Source: © Michelangelo Buonarroti / Daniele da Volterra / Artvee.com, © The Agony and the Ecstasy / International Classics

In the 1965 film The Agony and The Ecstasy, Charlton Heston plays the protagonist Michelangelo.

#10 Queen Victoria

Source: © Portrait of Queen Victoria / English School / Artvee.com, © Victoria and Abdul / BBC Films and co-producers

Judi Dench plays the role of Queen Victoria in the 2017 film titled Victoria and Abdul, about the unexpected friendship of the empress with a young Indian clerk.

#11 Julius Caesar

Source: © Julius Caesar, Perpetual Dictator / Boëtius Adamsz. Bolswert / Artvee.com, © Julius Caesar / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

This well-known Roman emperor was depicted by Louis Calhern in the MGM film Julius Caesar, released in 1953.

#12 King Arthur

Source: © Good King Arthur / Walter Crane / Artvee.com, © First Knight / Columbia Pictures and co-producers

In the medieval film First Knight, released in 1995, we can see Sir Sean Connery in the role of King Arthur in this romantic flick.