Laatste update op 8 May 2020
It is very frustrating that sometimes it is almost impossible to take a picture in the Venetian musea simply because they forbid you to. Can they do that?
Of course I understand that musea want to sell their products from the museum shop. I usually by something in the shop, a pen, postcard, maybe a book. They need the extra turn-over, for example to keep the entrance fee affordable. However, they should not forbid taking photograps of ancient art. I will explain why.
Copyright
Worldwide there are rules and regulations handling copyright from art, and they sound clear. Everyone has equal rights to copy artwork that is on display if those works are considered to be in the public domain. You have to be able to copy it, assuming you do not obstructing others and do not use a flashlight, since you will not break copy or reproduction rights. The museum owner is not the owner of the copyright. He (or authorities) simply owns the artwork in display. Copyright is personal and not transferable. Also read my article about copyright ».
Difference between musea
Some musea handle your right fairly. For example, the Rijksmuseum of Amsterdam offers the option to zoom into the work in detail, simply via their website. My compliments.
However, this is not the case in Italy. It was a real problem to me to take pictures of details of paintings. Details I should be able to retrieve. The copies in the museum shops are in resolution/size I need, since you cannot zoom in. So, now I am quite skilfull in cunningly taking photographs were they did not want me to. However, reluctantly, and it does not always work that well. For example the the picture that features this article, the unfinished Pièta (1575/1576) of Titiaan. Without flash and tripod it was not possible to take a sharp photograph. A pity.
Pietà, Galleria dell’Accademia
Less problems in churches
At each location I asked if I was allowed to take photos. Usually they recoiled (what was I thinking), and sometimes the usher even reacted crossed. This happened when I questioned them about the reason for the ban, even when I asked calmly. Never ushers could give me a plausible reason. However, in most churches you can take photographs, and there are a lot of famous paintings to be found in the churches. For example in Santa Maria Gloriasa dei Frari and the Zanipolo you can fire away.
Interesting links
even more strange: sketching not allowed »
Gordion.nl, PDF ‘verboden te fotograferen’ » (Dutch)
juridische wegwijzer archieven en musea online (Taskforce Archieven) » (Dutch)
PDF juridische wegwijzer archieven en musea online (Dutch)
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