Image Licensing & Rights

Last updated: September 1, 2026

SculptPedia is a catalog and encyclopedia of sculpture. Images published on the website may come from a variety of sources and may be subject to different copyright and licensing conditions.

This page explains how image rights work on SculptPedia and how you can determine whether an image may be reused.

1. Images on SculptPedia

SculptPedia does not necessarily own the copyright to every image displayed on the website.

Images may be sourced from public-domain collections, open-license repositories, museums, cultural institutions, archives, photographers, artists, and other publicly available sources.

The copyright status and permitted uses of an image depend on the specific image and its original source.

2. Image License Information

Where available, SculptPedia provides information about the source and licensing status of an image on the relevant artwork or image page.

Licensing information may include:

• the image source;
• the photographer or creator;
• the applicable license;
• the copyright status;
• attribution requirements;
• a link to the original source or license information.

If a specific license or copyright status is indicated for an image, you should follow the terms of that license when reusing the image.

3. Public Domain Images

Some images displayed on SculptPedia may be identified as being in the public domain.

Public-domain status may apply to the photograph, the underlying artwork, or both. These are separate copyright considerations.

Although public-domain material may generally be used without permission, additional rights or restrictions may apply in certain countries or circumstances, including rights relating to trademarks, privacy, publicity, cultural heritage, or the physical reproduction of an artwork.

Users are responsible for determining whether a particular use is permitted in their jurisdiction.

4. Creative Commons and Other Open Licenses

Some images may be available under Creative Commons or other open licenses.

Such licenses may permit copying, modification, distribution, or commercial use, but may also impose conditions such as attribution, sharing under the same license, or restrictions on certain types of use.

When reusing an image, always check the exact license specified for that image and comply with all applicable license conditions.

For Creative Commons images, the applicable license should be treated as the primary source of information about permitted reuse.

5. Copyrighted Images

Some images may remain protected by copyright and may only be used under permission, license, a statutory exception, or another applicable legal basis.

The fact that an image is publicly accessible on SculptPedia does not mean that it is free to copy, modify, publish, or use commercially.

If no reuse license is indicated, users should assume that the image may be protected by copyright and seek permission from the relevant rights holder before reusing it.

6. Copyright in Sculptures and Artworks

The copyright status of a photograph and the copyright status of the sculpture depicted in that photograph are not necessarily the same.

A sculpture may itself be protected by copyright even when a particular photograph of it is freely licensed or in the public domain.

Similarly, a public-domain sculpture may be depicted in a newly created photograph that is protected by the photographer's copyright.

Users should therefore consider both the rights in the photograph and any applicable rights in the underlying artwork before using an image for publication, advertising, commercial purposes, or other activities.

7. Attribution

When an image is distributed under a license that requires attribution, appropriate credit should be provided in accordance with that license.

Depending on the applicable license, attribution may include the name of the creator, the title of the image, the source, the license, and a link to the license or original source.

When using an image from SculptPedia, we recommend checking the original source whenever possible rather than relying solely on information displayed on SculptPedia.

8. SculptPedia Original Materials

Some images, photographs, graphics, or other visual materials may be created specifically for SculptPedia or otherwise provided to SculptPedia under terms that permit their use on the website.

Unless a different license is explicitly stated, original visual materials created by or for SculptPedia should not be assumed to be freely available for redistribution or commercial use.

9. No Transfer of Rights

Displaying an image on SculptPedia does not transfer ownership or copyright to SculptPedia or to the website visitor.

Likewise, downloading, linking to, or viewing an image through SculptPedia does not by itself grant permission to reproduce, modify, distribute, sell, or otherwise exploit the image.

Any rights granted to users come from the applicable license, permission, public-domain status, or other legal basis associated with the particular image.

10. Accuracy of Licensing Information

We make reasonable efforts to provide accurate source and licensing information. However, licensing information obtained from external sources may change, become outdated, or contain errors.

SculptPedia does not guarantee that every licensing statement displayed on the website is complete, current, or legally definitive.

For important or commercial uses, users should verify the licensing information with the original source or rights holder.

11. Copyright and Rights Holder Notices

If you are a photographer, artist, copyright holder, museum, institution, or other rights holder and believe that an image on SculptPedia has been incorrectly attributed, incorrectly licensed, or displayed without appropriate authorization, please contact us through our Contact page.

Please provide enough information for us to identify the image and understand your claim, including, where applicable:

• the URL of the SculptPedia page containing the image;
• the URL of the original image or source;
• your name and contact information;
• information demonstrating your ownership or authority to act on behalf of the rights holder;
• a description of the issue and the action you are requesting.

We will review legitimate rights-related requests and may correct attribution, update licensing information, replace an image, restrict its display, or remove an image where appropriate.

12. Third-Party Sources

SculptPedia may link to external repositories, museums, archives, cultural institutions, and other sources from which images originate.

These external sources may have their own licensing terms, usage policies, and attribution requirements.

SculptPedia is not responsible for changes made by third-party sources to their images, licenses, metadata, or availability.

13. Commercial Use

If you intend to use an image from SculptPedia for commercial purposes, advertising, merchandising, publication, product packaging, or other activities involving substantial distribution, you should independently verify that the intended use is permitted.

Do not assume that an image is available for commercial use merely because it appears on SculptPedia or because the underlying sculpture is in the public domain.

14. Questions About Image Rights

If you are unsure about the source, attribution, or licensing information associated with a particular image, please contact us through the Contact page.

We are happy to review image metadata and source information and, where possible, help identify the appropriate source or rights holder.

15. Important Notice

The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.

Copyright and image-licensing rules can vary between countries and may depend on the specific image, artwork, intended use, and applicable law.

Before using an image for a significant commercial, editorial, or public purpose, you should verify the applicable rights and license conditions with the original source or a qualified legal professional.