[WikiEN-l] Painting copyright

[Robin Shannon]

The copyright on the paintings of the great masters are obviously all
well out of date, however, does this mean that straight photos of
these are uncopyrightable? Or are they like translations of the
classics which are copyrightable. It just seems that not enough has
been down by taking a photo (or photocopying or scanning or however
the hell it is that art galleries make thier pictures of paintings) to
really justify calling it a new work in its own right.

Anyone know the answer? Even any unqualified people want to take a
stab at guessing the answer?

Also if they are copyrightable, does anyone know of any place where
there are PD/open license pics of the works of the great masters?

Paz, amor y Papá Noel,
rjs,
[[User:The bellman]]

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