7 Famous Paintings that Inspired Cinematic Shots

1. Herbert Ross and Edward Hopper

One of the greatest masterpieces of Hopper was recreated in the film "Pennies from Heaven," released in 1983 and directed by Herbert Ross. Everything is there, down to the smallest detail. The iconic characters of "Nighthawks" (1942) find their counterparts in a scene from the film, which is supposed to be set in Chicago.

The unsettling atmosphere, the waiter, the two seated men, the young woman lost in thought, the percolators. An almost identical staging that plunges us into the heart of a diner with the appearance of a giant aquarium.

2. Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo da Vinci

Did you notice? The reference to Leonardo da Vinci is quite clear in this iconic scene from Paul Thomas Anderson's film "Inherent Vice." Released in 2014, it reimagines the masterpiece "The Last Supper" (1495-1498) through a gathering of thirteen people, feasting and insatiable.

3. Martin Scorsese and Klimt

The excellent "Shutter Island" (2010) pays homage to Klimt's most iconic work: "The Kiss" (1908-1909). The scene where Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) embraces the illusion of his wife Dolores (Michelle Williams) brilliantly echoes Klimt's lovers.

The ochre tones of the room they are in, their passionate gestures, the floral and elaborate dress worn by Dolores, all evoke the attire of Emilie Flöge, the painter's companion at the time. Whether it's in the painting or on the big screen, you can easily feel the firmness and passion through this embrace that exudes a sense of distress on Martin Scorsese's part.

4. Terry Gilliam and Botticelli

"The Birth of Venus" (1484-1485) has greatly influenced popular culture. The most well-known tribute is certainly the iconic scene from Terry Gilliam's film "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" (1988). The director takes Botticelli's depiction and transposes it into a larger-than-life seashell, containing the goddess interpreted by Uma Thurman.

Her first appearance shows her in her simplest form, her long red hair as her only cover. Just like in the Italian painter's masterpiece, Venus emerges from the water in a scallop shell, drawing all the attention to herself. Jupiter's daughter, as well as Tremis, hasten to cover her to hide her beautiful appearance. The position is identical, reminiscent of an ancient Greek statue.

5. Jean-Luc Godard and Dominique Ingres

Jean-Luc Godard pays tribute to Dominique Ingres's "The Small Bather" (1828) in his film "Passion" (1982). The director is known for exploring nudity in his cinematic creations. This scene is a beautiful echo of the French painter's work. A nude woman, facing away from the viewer, wearing a turban and holding a red sheet, occupies the central position.

The atmosphere in the film scene faithfully captures the essence of the referenced artwork. Several nude women are lounging in a hammam, their postures similar, and even the blue turban worn by the woman in the background corresponds to the original painting.

6. Jacques-Louis David and Sofia Coppola

It's impossible to overlook "Bonaparte Crossing the Great Saint Bernard Pass" by Jacques-Louis David (1800-1803), fabulously brought to life by Sofia Coppola in "Marie Antoinette" (2006). The immaculate rearing horse, led by a resolute Napoleon with a red cape, pays homage to the masterpiece by the French painter.

7. John Everett Millais and Lars von Trier

In his film "Melancholia" (2011), Lars von Trier incorporated several artistic references. The most prominent is undoubtedly the film's poster itself. Justine (Kirsten Dunst) gets married but is overtaken by deep melancholic feelings, consumed by apocalyptic thoughts. This characteristic scene from the film leads us back to the Romantic period, an artistic era rich with themes of melancholy and depression.

The Pre-Raphaelite painter John Everett Millais had already depicted a similar scene in his work "Ophelia" (1851-1852). Ophelia, an iconic character from Shakespeare's tragedy "Hamlet," peacefully floats on the water, giving rise to a moment that is both gentle and mortuary. Surrounded by lilies, Justine (like Ophelia) already appears distant—has she already departed this world?

Would you like to discover more scenes inspired by famous paintings? Filmmaker Vugar Efendi has compiled a series of videos (Film meets Art) featuring a variety of homages and settings drawn from art masterpieces!