OldMasterArtists.Org (?)
July 27 2020
Picture: AnthonyVanDyck.Org
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
My attention has been drawn to some curious websites, domain names and addresses that have taken by some unknown organisation or individuals. This includes the .org addresses for many artist names, including the likes of Durer, Van Dyck, Rubens, Rembrandt etc. It seems like it would have taken quite an effort to acquire this substantial online real estate, but for what purpose exactly?
Currently, most of these websites are just filled with meaningless marketing bumph for selling prints.
The sites also contain the following curious disclaimers:
Disclaimer: www.anthonyvandyck.org is a personal website covering the career of famous Flemish painter Anthony van Dyck, but is in no way an official website for Anthony van Dyck and www.anthonyvandyck.org does not claim to be that in any way. The Estate of Anthony van Dyck and their presence hold all necessary copyrights and licences for all of his paintings and other works. All prints, paintings and photos included in www.anthonyvandyck.org are provided as an affiliate to Art.com who hold necessary permissions. Art.com pay us small commissions based on any prints or paintings that you buy as a result of using this website.
Alternatively, might the acquisition of these sites be part of a long term plan to hold any future academic online projects to ransom? Let's hope not.
Update - A reader has got in touch regarding his own difficulties in securing a domain name for his academic project relating to Giorgione. This problem might not be consigned to the distant future...perhaps?
