… According to Italian law, any use of the country’s publicly owned art to sell merchandise requires permission and payment of a fee.
(Angela Giuffrida)
Who “owns” reproduced images pulled from Botticelli’s cloying, excessively familiar painting? The presumption to be drawn from this article is that they’re owned by the public of Italy. (!)
The Uffizi itself uses its artworks to sell merchandise in its shop…
(Ibid.)
“‘Everything sold in the Uffizi shop is of course authorised and for every item sold we receive a certain percentage,’ said [Eike Schmidt, director of the Uffizi Galleries] … ‘Do you need to wear a T-shirt with Botticelli on it? Some people like to….’”
(Angela Giuffrida, “Uffizi Galleries sue Jean Paul Gaultier over use of Botticelli images,” theguardian.com, 10-10-22)
(c) 2022 JMN — EthicalDative. All rights reserved
EthicalDative 
An interesting discussion!
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Thank you, Sue. I can’t help thinking that the whole edifice of artistic and intellectual “property rights” sits atop inherent absurdity. Once thoughts or images or notes are let loose by their creators, who’s entitled to collect a toll when they circulate? Also, I dislike that painting! 🙂
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Yes I think Banksy has a pretty solid view on this art game – though he (they?) make plenty of money too. Have you seen a ‘documentary’ called Exit Through the Gift Shop? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exit_Through_the_Gift_Shop
It’s a pretty good commentary on all this venality. !!
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What a superb title! I must see the documentary. Thanks, Sue.
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