When using an artificial intelligence tool like Midjourney to generate graphics in the style of a well-known artist, it is crucial to refrain from publishing these images to the general public in most cases. This precaution is necessary to avoid potential copyright claims. Surprisingly, even graphics produced by artificial intelligence can infringe upon copyright if they closely resemble a specific artist’s style.
Fortunately, there are artists whose works have transitioned into the public domain, becoming a valuable resource free from copyright restrictions. After a designated number of years, the copyright protection for these works expires.
If 70 years has passed since the creator has died and no other person owns the rights, you may be able to use the image. Here’s a simple method to verify if an artist’s works have entered the public domain: Search for 4-5 paintings by the artist on Wikipedia and identify the rights owner. If it states ‘Public Domain,’ it’s likely safe to use the artist’s style as a basis for your AI creation.
In this article, I will introduce you to ten artists known for their distinctive and captivating painting styles. Their works have entered the public domain, granting you the freedom to utilize artificial intelligence tools to craft graphics inspired by their unique approaches for commercial purposes. For each artist, I’ve included an original painting alongside a creation by Midjourney, showcasing the AI’s interpretation of a fixed prompt:
A loving couple strolling through the streets of a quaint European town, in the style of [artist name].
I deliberately selected a fixed scene prompt to provide a clearer illustration of how the artist’s style influences the generated content.
1. Charles Angrand
Charles Angrand (1854–1926) was a French painter and member of the Neo-Impressionist movement, which emerged in the late 19th century. One of the distinctive features of his paintings was his use of pointillism, a technique where small, distinct dots of color are applied in patterns to form an image when viewed from a distance. Angrand, influenced by Georges Seurat and Paul Signac, embraced this method to create vibrant and harmonious compositions.
Here is one of Angrand’s paintings:
And here is an image Midjourney generated by the prompt shown above, based on Angrand’s style:
2. Giuseppe Arcimboldo
Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1526–1593) was an Italian Renaissance painter known for his imaginative and eccentric portraits composed of various objects, such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, and animals, arranged to form human faces. His paintings, often whimsical and allegorical, showcase a unique form of artistic expression and creativity.
Here is a painting made by Arcimboldo:
And here’s Midjourney interpretation with the fixed prompt and Arcimboldo’s style:
3. Francesco Albani
Francesco Albani (1578–1660) was an Italian Baroque painter known for his graceful and idealized depictions of classical and mythological subjects. He was associated with the Bolognese School and had a significant influence on the development of Baroque classicism. Albani’s art style is characterized by soft, luminous colors, delicate compositions, and a focus on beauty and harmony.
Specializing in pastoral and mythological scenes, Albani’s works often feature idyllic landscapes, ethereal figures, and a sense of poetic tranquility. His paintings reflect a balance between naturalism and idealism, incorporating a sense of grace and serenity into his compositions. Albani’s contribution to Baroque classicism made him a respected figure in the art world of his time, and his legacy endures as an influential Baroque painter.
Here is one of his works:
And this is what Midjourney created:
4. Cecil Aldin
Cecil Aldin (1870–1935) was an English artist known for his illustrations, particularly those featuring animals, rural scenes, and country life. He was a prolific and versatile artist, working in various mediums, including watercolor, printmaking, and book illustration.
Aldin gained popularity for his charming and humorous depictions of dogs, which often captured their playful and endearing qualities. His love for animals, especially dogs and horses, is evident in his works. Aldin’s illustrations were widely used in books, magazines, and advertisements, contributing to his widespread recognition during his time.
Here is an example of Aldin’s painting:
And here is Midjourney creation based on Aldin’s style:
5. Aubrey Beardsley
Aubrey Beardsley (1872–1898) was a talented and controversial English illustrator and author associated with the Aesthetic and Art Nouveau movements. Known for intricate and decadent black-and-white illustrations, he contributed to the development of modern graphic art. Beardsley’s short but influential career was marked by a distinctive style, often featuring stylized, provocative, and fantastical imagery, and he left a lasting impact on the world of illustration and design during the late 19th century.
This is one of his works:
And here is what i got with Midjourney:
6. Hieronymus Bosch
Hieronymus Bosch (c. 1450 – 9 August 1516) was a Dutch/Netherlandish painter during the Northern Renaissance, known for his surreal and imaginative works depicting complex scenes of hell, demons, and moral allegories. His paintings, like “The Garden of Earthly Delights,” are characterized by rich symbolism and have had a lasting influence on art history, inspiring later movements such as surrealism. Much about Bosch’s life is mysterious, but his unique and fantastical style continues to captivate viewers.
Here is one of his known painting which is also mentioned above:
And this is Midjourney’s interpretation for his style, using the fixed prompt:
7. John Bauer
John Bauer (1882–1918) was a Swedish illustrator known for his enchanting and whimsical fairy tale illustrations. His distinctive art often featured mystical and mythical themes, populated by trolls, elves, and other fantastical creatures. Bauer’s work, characterized by its detailed and atmospheric style, contributed to the Golden Age of Illustration in Sweden. His untimely death at the age of 36 cut short a promising career, but his legacy endures as one of Sweden’s most beloved illustrators.
This is Bauer’s paining:
And here is what Midjourney produced for me based on his style:
8. Umberto Boccioni
Umberto Boccioni (1882–1916) was an Italian painter and sculptor associated with the Futurist movement. Known for his dynamic and energetic depictions of the modern urban experience, his paintings, such as “The City Rises” and “Dynamism of a Cyclist,” convey a sense of movement and the influence of technology on society. Boccioni was a key figure in shaping the Futurist aesthetic, emphasizing speed, dynamism, and the intersection of art and modern life. His untimely death at the age of 33 cut short his impact, but his contributions to Futurism remain significant in the history of modern art.
Here is Boccioni’s “The City Rises”:
And here is what i got with Midjourney:
9. George Caleb Bingham
George Caleb Bingham (1811–1879) was an American artist associated with the genre of American genre painting during the mid-19th century. Known for his depictions of everyday life along the frontier, particularly scenes of river life and political rallies, Bingham’s paintings include iconic works such as “Fur Traders Descending the Missouri” and “The County Election.” Bingham’s art captures the spirit of the American West and its evolving political landscape, and he played a significant role in depicting the social and political life of his time.
This is one of Bingham’s paintings:
And here is how Midjourney styled the imaged based on him:
10. Randolph Caldecott
Randolph Caldecott (1846–1886) was a British artist and illustrator best known for his contributions to children’s literature. He was a prominent figure in the Golden Age of Illustration during the late 19th century. Caldecott’s charming and whimsical illustrations accompanied numerous children’s books, and his work helped revolutionize the field of children’s book illustration.
The Caldecott Medal, awarded annually by the American Library Association for outstanding children’s book illustration, is named in his honor. His legacy endures not only through the award but also in the enduring popularity of his illustrated books, celebrated for their lively and engaging artistry.
This is Caldecott’s painting:
And here is what Midjourney generated:
To sum it all up
In some of Midjourney’s outputs, a distinct resemblance to the artists’ style I used in the prompts is evident, while in others, the connection between the artist and the image appears less pronounced. Yet, it’s worth noting that with a different prompt, the creative possibilities could expand.
Exploring Midjourney’s capabilities with prompts styled after renowned artists is both enjoyable and intriguing. In certain instances, I experimented with generating multiple variations to observe how the tool drew inspiration from the artist and how elements were influenced within the image.
It’s crucial to bear in mind that when crafting graphics influenced by a specific artist, ensuring their works reside in the Public Domain—devoid of copyright—is paramount.
We noticed that while these works become available for public use many years after the artist’s passing, there are numerous captivating pieces by artists with distinctive painting styles, making it a delightful experience to create new graphics inspired by them using artificial intelligence tools and share them with the public.