Public domain art refers to any artwork that is no longer protected by copyright. Because there is no copyright owner, these works can be used by anyone for any purpose — including copying, modifying, sharing, or selling — without needing permission or paying royalties.
In the United States and many other countries, the standard copyright term is: The life of the author plus 70 years. After that period, the work enters the public domain, where it is no longer protected and may be freely used by anyone.
For example:
-An artist who died in 1920: their works entered the public domain in 1991.
-An artist who died in 1980: their works will enter the public domain in 2051.
Every piece I offer is carefully selected based on its public domain status, and I take that responsibility seriously.
Before including any artwork in my shop, I:
1. Verify the artist’s date of death to ensure that the copyright term has clearly expired.
2. Use trusted sources like museum open access collections, digital libraries, and archives that explicitly state the work is in the public domain.
3. Double-check licensing or rights information for any reproductions I use, making sure there are no restrictions.
I do this not only to stay compliant with copyright law, but because I deeply respect the original artists and the integrity of their work. I would never claim credit for the original creation of these artworks. If I ever discover that I’ve mistakenly used a work that is not truly in the public domain, that artwork will be immediately removed from my shop and no longer sold. My role is to make them more accessible and appreciated through high-quality prints, not to pass them off as my own.