I'm a graphic designer and wondering if using a picture of a painting or

[art101]

sculpture copyright infringement? For example. If i find a picture of a famous painting or sculpture on the internet, can i use it for a brochure or flyer? What can I use and can not use for such purposes? Are the actual pictures of the artwork(s) under copyright laws as well as the art itself? What about public domain picture of artwork? What if i take the picture of the artwork(s) myself. Can I use it as i please?

Thanks

[rickinnocal]

Depends....

If a photo is simply a faithfull reproduction of a piece of public domain artwork, it's not copyright. If it contains 'creative elements' then it is.

So, a photo of the Mona Lisa that is 'just' the painting itself is not copyright. A photo of the hall at the Louvre that shows the Mona Lisa, but also people standing looking at it, is copyright.

In almost all cases a photo of a statue or sculpture will be copyright, because just choosing which angle to shoot it from is a creative decision. If it's you that takes the photo - let's say a photo of the Venus de Milo - then you own the copyright.

Richard