Where to find Public Domain Artworks 

The main question I hear is - "If it's a wood block from the 13th century it must be fine to use right? Which is logically correct but things can sometimes be a little more complicated than that. Sometimes 

• There are additional protections on that digital file which was made by someone and will often have revenue attached

• Someone may have taken the original public domain print and then changed it before publishing again online - which mean they might own the copyright on the changed image.

You can bypass some of these unknowns by heading straight to a reputable source. The sites below have all had their terms reviewed and are generally agreed to be pretty favourable with some lawyers but you will always check with the lawyers on your production first. As always - these resources aren't bulletproof - so anything you want to use should always go to your clearance person or lawyer to double check

Yale University Art Gallery

• Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Greco-Roman Art

• Ancient American Art: Mesoamerican and South American cultures. Indigenous and Pre-Columbian Art

• African Art

• Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Art: Buddhist and Hindu art reflecting religious traditions.

• Late Medieval and Early Renaissance Art

• Baroque and Rococo

• Neoclassicism, Romanticism, and Realism

• American Art - Colonial and Federal period portraits, and early 20th-century Modernism

• Impressionism and Post-Impressionism

• Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, Minimalism, and Postmodern works.

• Islamic Art

• Decorative Arts and Design

New York Public Library

• Prints and Drawings - 

  • European and American Prints, 

  • Japanese Ukiyo-e, 

  • Political Cartoons and Caricatures: 

  • Calling cards, postcards, and printed materials with artistic designs

  • Advertising and propaganda art from the 20th century.

• Photography

• Maps and Atlases

• Modern and Contemporary Art

• Children’s Book Illustration

• Architectural Drawings and Design

• Historical and modern architectural plans

Getty Open Content

• Ancient Art, Greek and Roman Art, Egyptian Art, Etruscan and Mesopotamian Art: 

• Late Medieval and Early Renaissance Art 

• Renaissance Art

• Baroque and Rococo Art

• Neoclassical 

• Romanticism and Realism, 

• Impressionism and Post-Impressionism

• Modern and Contemporary Art

• Photography

• Decorative Arts and Design

National Gallery of Art

• Late Medieval and Early Renaissance Art

• High Renaissance  

• Mannerism  

• Baroque Art  

• Rococo  

• Neoclassicism and Romanticism  

• Impressionism and Post-Impressionism  

• Realism and Pre-Raphaelitism