The Painting
1972, English. Directed by Robert Beavers.
The Painting intercuts shots of traffic navigating the old-world remnants of downtown Bern, Switzerland, with details from a 15th-century altarpiece, “The Martyrdom of St. Hippolytus”. The painting shows the calm, near-naked saint in a peaceful landscape, a frozen moment before four horses tear his body to pieces while an audience of soigné nobles look on; in the movie’s revised version, Beavers gives it a comparably rarefied psychodramatic jolt, juxtaposing shots of Gregory Markopoulos, bisected by shafts of light, with a torn photo of himself and the recurring image of a shattered windowpane.
- Runtime
- 0h 20m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- Check local
Start now and it ends at ….
Too new to call
Not enough people have rated it yet for a verdict.
Seen it? Give your verdict.
Saved privately on this device.
Where to watch The Painting
The Painting isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 1 January 1972.
No streaming listings yet. Search JustWatch.
Part of a series
My Hand Outstretched to the Winged Distance and Sightless Measure: watch order
Details
- Released
- 1 January 1972
- Country
- Switzerland
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
Watch before The Painting
In release order. The films it follows, and anything it builds on.
After The Painting
What comes next in the series.
If you liked The Painting
Naqoyqatsi
2002 · 6.2/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Capital in the Twenty-First Century
2019 · 6.5/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
A Toxic Love Story
2026 · 6.4/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
Come See Me in the Good Light
2025 · 7.1/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
Ex Libris: The New York Public Library
2017 · 6.4/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
To Kill a Tiger
2023 · 7.6/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
Jim: The James Foley Story
2016 · 7.4/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
180° South
2010 · 7.3/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
Untold: Jake Paul the Problem Child
2023 · 5.8/10
SnoozefestRecommended by TMDB viewers
As I Was Moving Ahead Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty
2000 · 7.8/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
The Painting: quick answers
What should I watch before The Painting?
Watch The Count of Days (1969), Palinode (1970), Diminished Frame (1971), and Still Light (1971) first, plus 2 earlier titles listed on this page.
What comes after The Painting?
Next in the series: From the Notebook of... (1972), Work Done (1973), and Ruskin (1974).
Is The Painting worth watching?
The Painting doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is The Painting?
The Painting runs 20 minutes (0h 20m).
Does The Painting have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for The Painting. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
The Painting parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for The Painting yet.
Which OTT platform is The Painting on?
The Painting isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 1 January 1972. (Checked 10 November 2026.)
What movies are like The Painting?
If you liked The Painting, try Naqoyqatsi, Capital in the Twenty-First Century, A Toxic Love Story.
Who directed The Painting?
The Painting (1972) was directed by Robert Beavers and stars Gregory J. Markopoulos.