Who Is Adriana in Midnight in Paris Based On?

By Robert Palmer

If you’ve watched Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris,” you may have wondered who Adriana, the muse of the protagonist Gil Pender, is based on. While the character is fictional, there are several real-life muses who inspired artists during the 1920s in Paris. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of these women and how they influenced art and culture during the Jazz Age.

The Lost Generation

Adriana is a character in Allen’s film that takes place in Paris during the 1920s. This was a time when many American writers and artists flocked to France to escape prohibition laws and to find inspiration. They became known as “The Lost Generation,” a term coined by Gertrude Stein.

Zelda Fitzgerald

One of the most famous muses of this era was Zelda Fitzgerald, wife of writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. She was known for her beauty and wild behavior, which inspired her husband’s writing. In fact, many scholars believe that she was the basis for several characters in his novels, including Daisy Buchanan from “The Great Gatsby.”

Lee Miller

Another influential muse was Lee Miller, an American model turned photographer who worked with famous artists like Man Ray and Jean Cocteau. She documented Parisian life during this time through her lens and became an icon herself.

Dora Maar

Dora Maar was a French photographer and painter who had a tumultuous relationship with Pablo Picasso. She documented his artistic process through photography and inspired some of his most famous works.

The Muse as Art

Adriana represents more than just a person in “Midnight in Paris.” She embodies the idea of the muse as art itself.

In fact, as Gil Pender searches for inspiration in 1920s Paris, he is transported back to earlier eras where he meets famous artists and writers. This underscores the idea that inspiration can come from anywhere and anyone, even from the past.

Conclusion

While we may never know for sure who Adriana is based on, we can appreciate the role of muses in inspiring art and culture during the 1920s in Paris. The women mentioned here were just a few of many who left their mark on this era and continue to inspire artists today.