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In the world of art and creativity, the transition of an artist’s work into the public domain is a momentous occasion.

In 2024, we’re set to welcome a group of distinguished artists into this realm, offering a wealth of inspiration and possibilities for historians, publishers, educators, creatives, and content consumers. Among these are Edmund Dulac, Yasuo Kuniyoshi, and others entering the public domain whose contributions and exciting potential are notable.

What does it mean for art to enter public domain?

When an artist’s work joins the public domain, it means that the intellectual property rights associated with those works have expired. The liberation from copyright restrictions allows for greater accessibility, fostering a culture of shared creativity and innovation. In short, it grants the public the freedom to use, share, and build upon these works.

Who is joining the roster of public domain artists at Alamy?

Let’s take a look at a few of the artists in our collection who will be out of copyright in 2024…

Edmund Dulac – A Fairy Tale Affair:

French-British illustrator Edmund Dulac captivated audiences with his enchanting recreations of traditional stories and fairy tales, especially those of Hans Christian Andersen. The magical worlds that he created are ripe for a resurgence. Given the recent media interest in medieval, fantasy and fairy tale retellings (think 2024’s Damsel, the ACOTAR book series and Amazon Prime’s Carnival Row), there’s plenty of scope for designers, publishers, and content creators to translate Dulac’s whimsical illustrations across their projects.

Yasuo Kuniyoshi – Bridging Cultures through Art:

In the West, interest in the East can be seen anywhere from the Star Wars: Visions animated anthology to Netflix’s Edo-period Blue Eyed Samurai and the popularisation of Japanese cultural influences and series. Looking back, Japanese-American painter, photographer, and printmaker Yasuo Kuniyoshi was an early pioneer with his unique blend of Eastern and Western influences in the art world. Spanning various mediums, his diverse body of work, can now be used as a source of inspiration for a new generation. There’s no doubt that the fusion of cultural aesthetics in modern designs will continue to dominate.

Roger Broders – Vintage Travel Inspiration:

Bon voyage! French illustrator Roger Broders’ iconic travel posters are set to become a staple in vintage-inspired designs. Renowned for his vivid and enticing depictions of French locations, you can predict a swirl of interest in incorporating these artworks into travel-related content, tourism, and promotions. and recent advertisements, for example, drew deeply from a wealth of iconic 20th-century travel posters and nostalgia to establish a new identity.

Everett Shinny – A New York Moment:

American painter Everett Shinn’s ability to depict life in New York and on its streets is a master class in immediacy – building on the era of Impressionism. With his work opening up, urban planners, historians, and creatives alike can consider the past through Shinn’s lens. The animated movement and energy of early 20^th-century New York offers a valuable visual resource for a wide array of projects, from documentaries to artistic installations.

Karl Arnold – The Satirical Edge:

We live at a time where there’s so much happening in the world to fuel social, political and cultural commentary. Looking back through history, German painter, caricaturist, and comics maker Karl Arnold’s satirical offerings provide new opportunities when re-assessed today. Fellow cartoonists, satirists, and humorists can dig deep when it comes to exploring Arnold’s wit and creativity in a new light – drawing inspiration for contemporary commentaries and visual storytelling.

This sample is by no means exhaustive. From lyrical Art Nouveau stylings with Elisabth Sonrel to the found of Cubism himself Elbert Gleizes, we’ve a tantalising collection of artists who are ready to be explored in the exciting context of copyright freedom. See more of these here in our dedicated ‘Artists in the public domain’ 2024 lightbox.

What are the creative possibilities and potential uses for out-of-copyright works?

Graphic Design and Advertising: You might wish to incorporate vintage illustrations, paintings, or photographs into your next advertising campaign to evoke a sense of nostalgia or to create a unique aesthetic. Public domain artwork can form the basis of eye-catching posters, flyers, and other promotional materials to support these efforts.

Web Design and Social Media: Digital marketers and designers can be equipped with a wealth of content resources ready to enhance websites and create engaging social media content. Classic illustrations and historical images offer an immediate connection to the intrigue of the past for versatile audiences.

Print and Editorial: Why not illustrate your articles and editorial content with historical images? The appeal is certainly there for impactful visual storytelling and historical features. Equally, these can be applied to the covers of books, magazines, and other print materials.

Educational Materials: Similar to print and editorial, the educational materials for textbooks, presentations, and online courses can be enhanced with relevant historical illustrations and diagrams. An ideal teaching tool, history, literature, and art all benefit from the release of public domain content that’s visually engaging.

Home and Office Décor: For the armchair appreciator, high-quality prints of classic artwork for your walls cater to taste and preference.

Digital and Physical Art: Diverse imagery from the public domain is ideal for experimentation across digital and physical art projects. High-resolution scans of vintage materials are key to ensuring the quality and credibility of your reimagining.

Themed Collections and Galleries: Curated themed collections based on specific artists, periods, and artistic movements benefit from a cohesive selection of available works. If you have such a project in mind, the diversity of public domain content can be worth showcasing to new audiences.

The transition of artists’ works into the public domain marks a celebration of creativity, heritage, and shared culture. The possibilities for inspiration, innovation, and collaboration are truly boundless. Why not explore, remix, and build upon key artistic legacies? By facilitating the uses explored above, we’re a hub for creative exploration, enabling you to tap into the rich legacy of artistic works that have entered the public domain.