I have heard of museums that restrict use of writing instruments.  After
all, a pen, pencil or marker could be used to damage fragile works of
art, artifacts or objets d'art.  However, if they allow
pencil/pen/marker, there ought to be no restriction on how they are
used.  Writing versus drawing?  Preposterous!

The Louvre - the grand champion of art museums (?) - permits copyists.
They must present all the right paperwork, and references to ensure they
are not would be forgers or thieves.  One copyist explained to me the
canvas must be 'official', stamped with indelible ink visible in
ultraviolet light.  And the canvas is examine every time the copyist
enters or leaves the museum.  From what I could tell, copyists are
permitted stools, easels, paint cases, palettes, brushes, etc.  I spent
many hours watching and talking with copyists at the Louvre.  It is
incredible to hear about their training and to see what they can
accomplish.  <I'm jealous!  LOL!>

Sincerely,

Jay Heuman
Visitor & Volunteer Services Coordinator
Joslyn Art Museum
2200 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68102
342-3300 (telephone)   342-2376 (fax)

"You can’t lock up art in a vault and keep it frozen for posterity. Then
the artist is betrayed, history is betrayed."
(Walter Persegati)



> Date: Tue, 24 Sep 2002 08:57:15 -0700
> From: Shelley Howe <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: Copyright Question
> This is a response to your question about drawing in museums. I have
> a friend who taught classes at the Denver Museum of Nature and
> Science and this is what he said:
> I have drawn in museums in classes and alone and never had any
> problem and when i taught courses in drawings there was never a
> problem. In an art museum one time however they would not allow us
> to even take a form of pictorial notes, words were ok but this was a
> special exhibit and not their collection. As far as copying I believe
the
> standard is never copy exactly what is there, which unless you are
> very very good is not going to happen anyways but usually I believe
> the the practice is to create smaller or crop from the original. If
you
> are concerned with it simply ask at an information desk or call ahead
> of time to find out if there are any regulations.
> Shelley Howe
> Collections Manager, BBM&G

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