Film and visual arts have been closely intertwined since the early days of cinema. They influence and reference each other, with well-known artworks being depicted in films and artists using the medium as a source of inspiration for their work. The artworks used in films can serve narrative functions, providing coded background information about the characters and locations that the audience must decipher. Art primarily appears as a decorative element in feature films. Although it often seems to be just a detail in the cinematic flow, it frequently becomes an important part of the staging. This study aims to analyze this phenomenon. Of particular interest are those films in which artworks are liberated from their role as mere decoration and integrated into the storyline. Another goal is to elucidate what image, concept, and value of art is conveyed to moviegoers and how artists are portrayed in feature films. Using the example of a fictional artist, the study analyzes the handling of artist myths and clichés in film. It reveals a surprisingly diverse use and creative engagement by filmmakers with the visual arts and the figure of the artist. The period under investigation includes feature films from the 1940s to the 1990s, with American film productions from the 1950s and 1960s forming the main group due to their artistic aspirations.