Back to Titanic: Film Information: Behind the Scenes: Scene Facts: Paintings

Today in Titanic History - with Searching

Today in
Titanic History
Tuesday, July 1, 2025

1861 - 3rd class passenger Mr Alexander A. Robins was born to Samuel Robins (labourer) and Grace Robins in St Austell, Cornwall, England, UK.

1912 - Final arguments were made on Day 35 of the British inquiry into the Titanic disaster in Westminster, London, England, UK.

1941 - Fireman / Stoker and survivor Mr William John Murdoch died in New South Wales, Australia at the age of 62.

1907 - White Star Line placed the order for the Olympic and Titanic.

Behind the Scenes: Scene Facts: Paintings

Many of the paintings in the movie are authentic, such as Picasso, Pablo's "The Guitar Player" flown in from the Musée national d'Art Moderne, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris.
This scene was filmed on 9/18/96, the first day of principal filming at Rosarito.
The reproductions of famous works were painted by on-set painter Marilyn McAvoy in the five days before the scene was shot.
Rose's paintings include Picasso's "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon", one of the ballerina series by Degas, and "Water Lilies" by Claude Monet, none of which were ever on the Titanic.
Each painting had a specific purpose. Degas almost exclusively painted joyful dancers, symbolizing how Rose wants to feel. The Picasso was chosen because Rose admires his courage to try new things.
A portion of this scene, in which Cal mentions taking Rose's virginity in more certain terms than any other time in the movie, was taken out. When Zane and Winslet improvised this scene, they ended it with Rose giving a perfunctory peck on the cheek to Cal, who then comments that he too likes the Degas painting. Read that portion
Billy Zane adlibbed calling the artwork "finger paintings." They were originally called "mud puddles."
This scene takes place in the "Millionaire Suite" which had two bedrooms, a bath, WC (water closet), wardrobe room, large sitting room, and a 50 foot private promenade deck outside.

Film Info

Scene Facts
opening sequence
ghost ship
pay day
the woman in the picture
distant memories
boarding
lucky hand
paintings
king of the world
lunch
first glance
suicide
heart of the ocean
sketches on deck
dining in the snakepit
a real party
confrontations
flying
portrait
chased by lovejoy
the car
the iceberg
rescue
'not without you'
sinking
vertical stern
the promise
carpathia

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