This year, works by important names in the art world such as Henri Matisse, Robert Capa and Frida Kahlo, as well as literary classics such as Ernest Hemingway’s ‘A Farewell to Arms’ and William Faulkner’s ‘The Sound and the Fury’, began to be shared in the public domain. In addition, Popeye and Tintin, the iconic comic book characters of popular culture, have entered the public domain as of this year.
Public domain is a concept in which works whose copyright protection has expired can be used freely. This is of great importance in order to encourage creativity and make art accessible to everyone. In countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and many European countries, single-authored works are generally protected by copyright for 70 years after the author’s death. According to the rule, the works of writers and artists who died in 1954 gained public domain status as of 2025.
Iconic names of art entered the public domain
The list of works that returned to the public domain this year, announced by the Public Domain Review in England and the Duke University Public Domain Center, is quite striking. For example, the works of Henri Matisse, a leading figure in modern art, can now be shared without copyright protection. Matisse’s drawings and paintings can create new opportunities for access to art. Similarly, renowned photographer Robert Capa’s iconic war photographs will be much more accessible to students, historians and art lovers.
Frida Kahlo’s original and impressive paintings were also included in the public domain. Kahlo’s work stands out not only for its artistic merit, but also for its influence on feminist movements and cultural identity debates.
In the field of literature, copyright protection for Ernest Hemingway’s novels ‘A Farewell to Arms’ and William Faulkner’s ‘The Sound and the Fury’ has expired. This will allow these classics to reach more people.
In the world of popular culture, comic book characters such as Popeye and Tintin can be reinterpreted by fans and inspire various creative projects. Tintin’s adventures, in particular, can be rediscovered with new adaptations and interactive projects for both children and adults.
Source: www.dunya.com
