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Open Content Program

The Birmingham Museum of art makes available digital images of works in the Museum’s collection believed to be in the public domain. Images are available free of charge for any use, commercial or non-commercial. Users do not need to contact the Museum for authorization to use these images. They are available through the Online Collection at artsbma.org/collection. See detailed instructions for specific work types below.

Identifying Open Content Images

The mission of the Birmingham Museum of Art is to spark the creativity, imagination, and liveliness of Birmingham by connecting all its citizens to the experience, meaning, and joy of art. The Museum understands that by sharing images of works online without restrictions, the BMA collection becomes more accessible to a larger audience.

For objects with images the rights status is displayed in the “credit line” section of the object information. The rights status or rights holder will be indicated. If the work is in the public domain and/or the image may be downloaded, the download icon will appear in the bottom right corner of the image area. To search the collection click here.

Works With Restrictions

For copyright-protected images that have been approved by copyright holders, a presentation-sized image is available, but can not be downloaded. A copyright statement clearly listing the name of the copyright holder is visible in the credit line area when the image is displayed. Thumbnail-sized images of copyrighted works are displayed under fair use.

When the owner of a work is impossible to determine or contact, the work is deemed an orphan work. The Museum will make thumbnails of orphan works available. If you are the representative or rights holder of an orphan work, please contact Rights and Reproductions.

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Please use the following source credit when reproducing an Open Content image: Courtesy Birmingham Museum of Art, followed by the credit line provided in the object description.

Although there are no restrictions or conditions of the use of an Open Content image, the BMA would appreciate a gratis copy of any scholarly publication(s) in which the images are reproduced in order to maintain collection bibliography. Copies may be sent to the attention of:

Open Content Program
Digital Media Department
The Birmingham Museum of Art
2000 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd
Birmingham, AL 35203

Disclaimer

  • If an image is not available under Open Content it may be because the work is still under copyright, the work is not owned by the museum, or the work has not yet been photographed to BMA standards.
  • Request Images: If an image of a work is not available online or is under copyright, you may submit a request through our online request form. You may also request files in additional sizes or formats. A fee will be charged for this service.
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Platter with Scene of the Landing of General Lafayette at Castle Garden, New York

Manufactured by James and Ralph Clews, Scene after an engraving by Samuel Maverick

1825-30

In 1824, President James Monroe invited the Marquis de Lafayette, the last surviving general of the Revolutionary War, to visit the United States from his native France. On August 16, 1824, Lafayette landed at Castle Garden (in present-day Battery Park), New York, where he was greeted with great fanfare, including a parade, lavish banquets, a spectacular ball, and a fireworks display. Lafayette’s visit to America became a thirteen month extravaganza, lasting until September 1825. Lafayette traveled more than 6,000 miles, visiting all twenty-four states. Wherever Lafayette went, he was welcomed with great pageantry, greeted by hordes of well-wishers and lavished with gifts and honors. 


Lafayette toured Alabama in April of 1825, visting Cahaba (then the state capital), Montgomery, Selma, and Mobile. Alabama’s Lafayette Committee spent more than $17,000 to finance the statewide celebration, an amount exceeding the state’s total treasury at the time. Fayette County was created by an act of the Alabama State Legislature on December 20, 1824. The town of LaFayette in Chambers County was later named in his honor, as well. 

See More of the Collection

Double sided quilt of old printed and plain woven cotton fabrics, on one side the "Four Ts" pattern comprised of a grid of squares each with a pattern of four Ts that connect at the base of each letter, in floral and geometric-patterned fabrics along with plaids and leafy designs; the other side in the "Sampler" pattern with a grid of squares each with a different pattern inside in seersucker, gingham and stripes in shades of blues, reds and browns, along with polka dots, paisley and lots of plaids, the edging partially missing.
Quilt, "Mosaic" pattern, United States, silk, satin, cotton, velvet
Tiffany Studios water lily lamp (model 385) with a gilt-bronze leafy base from which extend upward seven curved stems that hold seven delicate, iridescent, favrile glass shades (four are original, three are replacements).
Diamond-Set Square quilt