Who owns the trademarks or copyrights to famous paintings like Starry Night and Mona Lisa?

Question

I have a great idea for using famous paintings in a new craft item. Does anyone know what the trademark or copyright laws are on famous paintings like Mona Lisa or Starry Night? For example, you can buy puzzles and posters of all these famous paintings. Is there someone you have to pay for use of these kind of paintings?

Answer 1

Paintings that are more than 90 years old would no longer be subject to copyright under U.S. law, so if you're in the U.S., you would be free to use the images in a craft item.  

Sections 301 to 304 of the Copyright Act of 1978 provide some very complicated rules for duration of copyright.  In the case of works as old as Mona Lisa and Starry Night, however, the rules boil down to the conclusion that the copyrights have expired.  

You are free to use those images as you please (except that you can't pass off your image as the original, which you do not intend to do).

Answer 2

No one. They are in the public domain.