Which images can you download?

You can freely download images of artworks that are already in the public domain. This means the creator has been deceased for more than 70 years, and no copyright applies. These works are marked with a green download button. You can tick ‘Copyright-free images only’ in the advanced search, which will show you only public domain artworks in the results.

There is no green download button for artworks that are still under copyright protection, so you cannot download these images.

How do you download an image?

  1. Click on the green download button.
     
  2. Fill in the form and indicate whether you are using the images privately or for other purposes. If you choose ‘other purposes’, enter your email address and select a purpose from the dropdown list. 
     
  3. Then click on Download image.

You will receive a web address for the image, and you can click this link to download a file with a maximum resolution of 4500 pixels on the longest side.
 

What can you do with downloaded images?

  • Images of works with the ‘public domain’ label can be freely reused (including commercially).
     
  • We do ask that you include the source credit where possible. You can find this under the image of the work. 
     
  • When including an image in a publication, heritage institutions (museums, etc.) appreciate receiving a copy, so they can include it in their collection documentation.

What are contractual restrictions?

Meemoo strives to keep public domain images as free from mandatory usage restrictions as possible, but this can vary by collection or even by object, depending on our partners’ wishes.

Certain collections have special usage conditions:

  • The Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp
     
  • Saint Rumbold’s Cathedral, Mechelen
     
  • St. Bavo’s Cathedral, Ghent (only the Ghent Altarpiece)
     

Images of public domain artworks from these collections may only be used with respect for religious symbolism. Downloads here have a maximum resolution of 2000 pixels. Larger files can be requested via info@artinflanders.be. The use of these images is chargeable at the request of the respective church authorities. The fee depends on the specific use.
 

What does the CC-BY 4.0 licence mean?

Some images have the label CC-BY 4.0. This means you can freely reuse the image, but the heritage institution requires you to credit the creator of the work.
 

What about copyrighted works?

Images of works still under copyright are visible on the website, but you cannot download them. If you want to work with these images, please contact us via the button at the bottom of the page.

You can only use these images if you arrange the rights yourself (permission, a licence, an exception, etc.) – which is your own responsibility. 
 

Any questions?

Do you have specific questions or are you looking for larger files?

Read more at: Professional and commercial reuse

Contact us here