Free Download of Over 10,000 Public Domain Work Images Listed in the National Museum of Art Comprehensive Catalog Search System Now Available
The National Art Research Center (NCAR) has started offering free downloads of 12,190 works and 14,063 image data of public domain works whose copyright protection period has expired via the National Museum of Art Comprehensive Catalog Search System.Summary
On May 29, 2026, the Independent Administrative Institution National Art Research Center (NCAR) announced that it has begun offering free downloads of 12,190 works and 14,063 image data of public domain works whose copyright protection period has expired via the "National Museum of Art Comprehensive Catalog Search System (5-Museum Integrated Catalog)" operated jointly by five National Museums. In recent years, there has been a growing trend among museums and museums both domestically and internationally to promote the publication and utilization of public domain artwork images from the perspective of improving access to cultural resources and promoting digital utilization. As part of efforts to disseminate information about their collections and enrich digital archives, the National Museums (National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo; National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea; National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto; National Museum of Western Art; and National Museum of Art, Osaka) implemented this initiative as part of creating an environment where collection works can be utilized more closely. Users can now utilize these public domain works listed in the 5-Museum Integrated Catalog (content marked as "No Copyright – Contractual Restrictions" as defined by Rights Statements) for a wide range of purposes, such as in educational and research settings and creative activities, provided they comply with usage regulations such as proper attribution.
(Source：ART iT)