Are the works of Maurits Escher in the public domain?  Am I at liberty
to reproduce one of his drawings as an illustration in a nonprofit
publication?

Thank you,
Archae0pteryx

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Clarification of Question by archae0pteryx-ga on 09 Aug 2004 21:15 PDT

Hey, Pink!

How come you didn't just post the answer?  I don't see how there could
be any more of an answer than that.  Please go ahead.

I also don't know why I didn't find it myself as fast as that, but
you're the champ.

I'm partial to Escher too and have a whole book of his work.  I am
especially fond of the "drawing hands" picture.  But it looks like I
will have to refer to it without showing it.  I can't go through all
that rigmarole for a tiny NPO pub with a tiny circulation and a real
short lead time.  Guess I'm a little disappointed, too, to learn that
someone "owns" Escher when I sort of feel like his art ought to belong
to everybody who loves it.

Back in the sixties I was just so extremely hip that I didn't wait for
any young men to buy the art prints.  I bought them myself and put
them up in my apartment with forbidden tacks and nails, and young men
who took an interest in them scored points with me.

Tryx

Tryx,

It appears that you won't be able to use the "Drawing Hands" print
without permission. I am drawn (no pun intended) to that print, too.
If I had to choose my number one favorite Escher work, I think I'd
pick "Three Worlds," which I see as a wonderful spiritual metaphor.

Regarding the matter of copyright, this is posted on the official Escher website: 

"International Copyright laws protect all of the work of M.C. Escher.
Any reproduction of his work, including downloading, is prohibited
without the express written permission of the copyright holder.
Requests for reproduction should be directed to The M.C. Escher
Company's copyright department.
If you want to use any of the work of M.C. Escher as illustration in a
book, magazine, an advertisement campaign, brochure, or on the
Internet... send your request to our copyright department at
copyright@mcescher.com with as much background information as
possible."

M.C. Escher: The Official Website
http://www.mcescher.com/Copyright/copyright.html

My husband has a framed print of Escher's mural "Metamorphosis" in his
home office. It's an 8 X 10 print: eight inches by ten feet. Needless
to say, hubby had to make the frame himself.

There's an interesting collection of Escher-related merchandise here:

World of Escher
http://www.worldofescher.com/gallery/

The silk ties sold at World of Escher are particularly nice. I gave
one as a gift to a friend, and he says that it's the only tie he owns
that anyone ever notices or comments upon.

I'm glad to have been able to help you find the information you
needed, even though the news was not what you wanted to hear.

Best always,
Pink

First-rate, as always, Pink.  Thank you--
Tryx

Howdy-hi, Tryx!

I believe the information on this page answers your question, and
provides a means to request permission for publication:

http://www.mcescher.com/Copyright/copyright.html

I love Escher! Back in the sixties, I used to hope that some very hip
young man would invite me back to his apartment to see his "Eschings."