The Paris Musées just released 100,000+ digital copies of incredible artworks to the public domain, which means they’re now available for free, unrestricted use. This means that you can use Claude Monet’s Setting Sun on the Seine at Lavacourt or art from famous artists like Rembrandt and Gustave Courbet, for various projects without having to pay anything or ask for permission.
Each of the files is available at the museum’s portal and they contain an image in high resolution, a description, and the location where you can see the original work. The portal also includes low-res images of pieces that are not in the public domain, so you can check them out and decide if you want to go and see them in person. Another thing you can find on the site is virtual exhibitions, which are a perfect way to see art from the comfort of your home.
We can only hope other institutions follow with their own contributions in the near future.
