National Gallery of Art's Open Access Policy: Free Images of Public Domain Artworks
Preserving Cultural Heritage for Everyone
The National Gallery of Art is committed to making its extensive collection of public domain works accessible to the public. Through its open access policy, the museum allows anyone to browse, download, and use high-resolution images of paintings, posters, and illustrations from its permanent collection.
Clarifying Copyright Ownership for Older Artworks
Contrary to what some may believe, art museums do not automatically hold the copyright to works in their collections, regardless of their age. Generally, in Europe, copyright protection lasts for 70 years after the artist's death. For works whose creators have been dead for over 70 years, they enter the public domain and are free to use by anyone.
Therefore, if you can obtain an image of a work that is considered public domain, you are permitted to use it without any copyright restrictions. This policy enables the widespread dissemination and appreciation of cultural heritage, ensuring that future generations can access and enjoy these iconic artworks.
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