13 Movie Scenes That Were Directly Influenced By Famous Paintings

Margot Nolan
Jun 28, 2022
Jun 28, 2022

There are films about artists, and there are artists who have inspired movies. It is not uncommon to see the interference of images between different art genres, as well as the astonishing influence of classical paintings on everything, especially in cinema. Therefore, it's no surprise when a filmmaker created a poignant shot that is based on an existing work of art, typically a painting.
Whether it be through a character, setting, or even a nearly similar cinematic replica, the directors make these shots become works of art as well. For instance, in Lars von Trier's film "Melancholia", audiences were amazed by the scene where Kirsten Dunst's bride floats on a river. In fact, director Lars von Trier reimagined John Everett Millais' painting "Ophelia" (1851-1852) perfectly. Although they do not look exactly the same, it is clear that the idea of the scene is partly influenced by the painting.
Let's take a look at some of the most iconic and well-known sequences that were influenced by classic paintings. Would you like to see more of the paintings recreated in the movie? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

#1 "The Thomas Crown Affair" (1999) and the painting "The Son of Man" (1964)

Source:© The Thomas Crown Affair / United Artists, © René Magritte / Wikipedia Commons

"The Son of Man" is a self-portrait by the Belgian artist, René Magritte, who has appeared in numerous media and pop culture works, including "The Simpsons". In "The Thomas Crown Affair", the main character Thomas Crown played by Pierce Brosnan was inspired by this painting.

#2 "Moonlight" (2016) and the painting "La robe du soir" (1954)

Source:© Moonlight / A24, © René Magritte / WikiArt

This scene in "Moonlight" has shown all the aesthetic perspectives in the painting "La Robe Du Soir": A bare body looking towards the distant sea horizon, blue tones, similar posture. The film name also refers to Magritte's work.

#3 "Shutter Island" (2010) and the painting "The Kiss" (1907–1908)

Source:© Shutter Island / Phoenix Pictures, © Gustav Klimt / Google Art Project

The famous painting "The Kiss" is in Klimt's Golden Phase, appearing on the big screen through the movie "Shutter Island" by director Martin Scorsese, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Michelle Williams playing a couple. The color palette and light in this scene are inspired by the work "The Kiss of Klimt".

#4 "Marie Antoinette" (2006) and the painting "Napoleon Crossing the Alps" (1801)

Source:© Marie Antoinette / Tohokushinsha Film Corporation, © Jacques-Louis David / Wikipedia Commons

The scene that Sofia Coppola brings in the movie "Marie Antoinette" (2006) is the scene of Napoleon riding on horseback standing on the back legs, similar to the famous painting "Napoleon Crossing The Alps" (1801 ) by David about him.

#5 "Inherent Vice" (2014) and the painting "The Last Supper" (1495–1498)

Source:© Inherent Vice / IAC Films, © Leonardo da Vinci / Wikipedia Commons

Although "The Birth of Venus" is famous, compared to Leonardo Da Vinci's "The Last Supper", it is one lever lower. Simple yet powerful in composition and illustrious, "The Last Supper" is the most reproduced painting in history in many movies and posters.

#6 " Melancholia" (2011) and the painting "Ophelia" (1851–1852)

Source:© Melancholia / Zentropa Entertainments, © John Everett Millais / Tate Images

Millais's iconic painting is based on the character Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet play. Desperately in love with the play's protagonist, Ophelia ultimately commits suicide in vain. The setting of this most famous painting is found in Lars Von Trier's "Melancholia", a visually beautiful film about obsession, depression, time flow, and end.

#7 "Girl with a Pearl Earring" (2003) and the painting "Girl with a Pearl Earring" (1665)

Source:© Girl with a Pearl Earring / UK Film Council, © Johannes Vermeer / Wikipedia Commons

Peter Webber reimagined Vermeer's painting "The Girl with Pearl" (1665) in the 2003 film of the same name. The painting is a mystery because no one knows the girl's identity. But the film made up the story of the young and endearing Griet serving an artist. The other ladies in the home envied her.

#8 "Psycho" (1960) and the painting "House by the Railroad" (1925)

Source:© Psycho / Shamley Productions, © Edward Hopper / WikiArt

"Psycho" is a horror film about hotel manager Norman Bates killing the heroine in a big home showcasing the town's murderous deeds. The model of the home was first inspired by Edward Hopper's painting "Mansion By The Railroad" before becoming connected with the well-known eerie house.

#9 "Inception' (2010) and the painting "Ascending and Descending" (1960)

Source:© Inception / Legendary Pictures, © M. C. Escher / Wikipedia Commons

"Ascending and Descending" is a lithograph print by the Dutch artist M. C. Escher. It depicts a large structure with an endless stairway. On the staircase, we can see two rows of identically attired, one line going up and the other going down. Two figures are separated from the others on the infinite staircase: one on a lower flight of steps and the other in a private courtyard. This picture has been consulted in many films, most recently "Inception" (2010).

#10 "Dunkirk" (2017) and the painting "Wanderer above the Sea of Fog" (1818)

The hit "Dunkirk" (2017) directed by Christopher Nolan brought many scenes of grandeur and magnificence. One of them has been inspired by the painting "Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog" by Caspar David Friedrich from 1818.

#11 "Django Unchained" (2012) and the painting "The Blue Boy" (1770)

When watching the movie "Django Unchained" directed by Quentin Tarantino, the audience was quite surprised by the unique blue costume of Django (Jamie Foxx played). Perhaps the filmmaker borrowed the idea from the famous picture "The Blue Boy" by artist Thomas Gainsborough.

#12 "Frida" (2002) and painting the "Frida and Diego Rivera" (1931)

In 2002, "Frida" directed by Julie Taymor depicted the professional and private life of the talented artist Frida Kahlo. The movie received much praise from critics and was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning two for Best Makeup and Best Original Score. So it's not surprising that it recreates one of her famous paintings "Frida and Diego Rivera" (1931).

#13 "Forrest Gump" (1994) and the painting "Christina’s World" (1948)

"Christina's World" depicts a young woman wearing a pink dress and lying in a grassy field in the bleak landscape of coastal Maine. Many people think that painting was the inspiration for a scene from the famous film "Forrest Gump" (1994).

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