The Art of Cinema from Paintings

Pragati Gunasekar
Jul 18, 2023
5 min read

Updated: Sep 3, 2023

Light Magicians

Light has always been a subject of particular significance in works of art. Old Masters' use of light in paintings expressed symbolism and dramatic depth in paintings. From Baroque /Rembrandt, each artist used light in a way that shifted the paradigm of art. The use of light is to make 2D art look 3D but these artists were geniuses, they brought a whole new shift in the paradigm of experiencing an artwork.

Light and Shadow

The use of light as a significant element in art predates the 17th-century Baroque period, but it was during the Baroque era that the manipulation of light and shadow became a dominant and expressive feature. Artists like Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Vermeer masterfully used light to create a sense of depth, atmosphere, and drama in their works. Caravaggio, the master of chiaroscuro, contrasted light and shadow to emulate charged atmospheres that had a profound influence on the new Baroque style.

The Taking of Christ (Italian: Presa di Cristo nell'orto or Cattura di Cristo) is a painting, of the arrest of Jesus, by the Italian Baroque master Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. Originally commissioned by the Roman nobleman Ciriaco Mattei in 1602, it is housed in the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin.

Baroque Art

As opposed to Renaissance art, which usually showed the moment before an event took place, Baroque artists chose the most dramatic point, the moment when the action was occurring: Michelangelo, working in the High Renaissance, shows his David composed and still before he battles Goliath; Bernini's Baroque David is caught in the act of hurling the stone at the giant. Baroque art was meant to evoke emotion and passion instead of the calm rationality that had been prized during the Renaissance.

Among the greatest painters/light magicians of the Baroque period are Velázquez, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin, and Vermeer. Caravaggio is an heir to the humanist painting of the High Renaissance. His realistic approach to the human figure, painted directly from life and dramatically spotlit against a dark background, shocked his contemporaries and opened a new chapter in the history of painting.

Caravaggio created one of his most admired altarpieces, The Entombment of Christ, in 1603–1604 for the second chapel on the right in Santa Maria in Vallicella (the Chiesa Nuova), a church built for the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri.

When art meets cinema

Cinema scenes/posters from Rembrandt Light are a classic example of the usage of light in art.

A scene from Joker 2019

Like painting, cinema is (usually) a 2D medium. To add that third critical dimension, cinematic lighting can be used to create depth. Similar to how leading lines and shapes can guide the viewer’s eye to a perceived background in the distance, so too can light and shadow. In the early days of German Expressionism, cinematic lighting pushed the balance between light and dark to the extreme. The dark subject matter of these films could be enhanced by embracing shadows along with the light.

Lighting Techniques in Cinema/Photography

Basic Lighting in Films
Three-point lighting
Soft film lighting
1. High Key Light
2. Diffused lighting
Hard Film lighting
1. Low Key Light
2. Kicker light with soft fill
Natural film lighting
Motivated lighting

Low Key light is inspired by lighting techniques used in paintings.

Chiaroscuro
Contre-jour
Rembrandt Lighting
Vermeer lighting
Impressionist lighting
Monet lighting

Chiaroscuro Lighting used “The Godfather” (1972)

Chiaroscuro is a dramatic tool. When deployed with purpose, chiaroscuro conveys a heightened atmosphere and a pointedly stylish command of mood. No surprise then, that the technique found a cinematic home in the emotional extremities of German Expressionism. And later, in the black-and-white shadowplay of film noir. And later still: in just about every film shot by Roger Deakins. Chiaroscuro, as the video essay below explains, is centuries old for a reason. It’s elemental, light and dark, good and evil, and all the ambiguous human drama in between.

“THE GODFATHER” (1972)

It’s often used to create suspense and is common in thriller or horror films. Of course, The Godfather isn’t a typical thriller/horror film – but it still utilizes chiaroscuro to generate suspense.

Contre-jour lighting used in a painting vs. movie

Mary is represented floating above clouds and the lighting technique behind Mary is a sign to show divinity. The golden glow was used to represent divinity.

The Assumption of the Virgin or Frari Assumption is a large altarpiece panel painting in oils by the Italian Renaissance artist Titian, painted in 1515–1518.

As opposed to this scene from a movie to create a mood or setting of suspense.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford 2007

Rembrandt Lighting

As the name suggests, Rembrandt's photography originated with the famous Dutch painter, Rembrandt. He was a major innovator in the medium, and that included introducing the art world to his signature form of lighting subjects.

In his self-portrait, you can see the technique at play, particularly with the small triangle located just below his left eye. He may have invented the lighting style, but he actually didn’t coin the term.

Self Portrait of Rembrandt Van Rijn

Rembrandt lighting is used in movie posters. (Iron Man poster)

Cinema is 2-D like painting, but using these different lighting techniques, a whole new shift in paradigm can be experienced in both art forms

Vermeer lighting

This lighting technique, named after the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, uses natural light sources to create a soft, diffused light that illuminates the scene. In cinematography, this technique can be used to create a natural, realistic look and to capture the beauty of the environment.

Impressionist lighting

Inspired by the Impressionist painters, this lighting technique uses bright, colorful lights to create a dreamlike, romantic atmosphere. In cinematography, this technique can be used to create a sense of nostalgia or to convey the emotions of the characters.

Monet lighting

This lighting technique, named after the French painter Claude Monet, uses soft, diffuse light to create a sense of calm and tranquility. In cinematography, this technique can be used to create a peaceful, serene atmosphere, especially in outdoor scenes.

By studying paintings and other visual art forms, cinematographers can gain inspiration for new lighting techniques and create stunning visual effects that enhance the storytelling of the film.

Conclusion

The art of cinema owes much to the world of painting, from its earliest days when films were likened to "moving pictures" to the modern era, where the lines between different forms of visual art are increasingly blurred. Filmmakers continue to draw inspiration from great works of art, and the influence is mutual: just as cinema has been inspired by painting, so too has contemporary painting been influenced by the aesthetics and techniques of film.

In this symbiotic relationship, each medium enriches the other, offering new possibilities for expression and interpretation in the ever-evolving landscape of visual art.

About the Writer

Pragati is a New York-based artrepreneur, artist, painter, and educator. She was the Brand Educator for Winsor and Newton in the year 2021. She is further honing her skills through a Master's program at the prestigious New York Academy of Art. Pragati contributes significantly to the art community.