The images on this site are either used by permission or are in the public domain. After reviewing this website with a university licensing and copyright expert, here is my personal understanding: Public domain for artwork occurs after the death of the artist plus 70 years. In addition, recent legal decisions (e.g., Bridgeman v. Corel) have held that close reproductions of public domain artworks do not reach a level of creativity sufficient to carry copyright of their own.