This book is the first in-depth and longitudinal study of the history of copyright protecting the visual arts. Exploring legal developments during an important period in the making of the modern law, the mid-nineteenth to early twentieth centuries, in relation to four themes - the protection of copyright 'authors' (painters, photographers and engravers), art collectors, sitters and the public interest - it uncovers a number of long-forgotten narratives of copyright history, including views of copyright that differ from how we think today. As well as considering the distinct nature of the contribution of copyright to the history of the cultural domain accounted for by scholars of art history and the sociology of art, this book examines the value to lawyers and policy-makers today of copyright history as a destabilising influence: in taking us to ways of thinking that differ from our own, history can sharpen the critical lens through which we view copyright debates today.

Shortlisted, SLS Peter Birks Prize for Outstanding Legal Scholarship 2020, Society of Legal Scholars (SLS)

‘As today, copyright [in the nineteenth century] was sensitive to many factors: technology, culture, economy, and politics, and Dr Cooper's book is an essential guide to their impact, the contemporary debates … and the legislation that emerged from those discussions … The book is required reading for anyone wanting to properly understand nineteenth century photography.’

Dr. Michael Pritchard Source: The PhotoHistorian

‘… the product of a prodigious amount of archival research into artistic and legal sources … the book makes a significant contribution not only to the history of copyright but also to the history and sociology of art and the history of the second half of the long 19th century more generally.’

Lord Justice Richard Arnold Source: Oxford Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice

‘Elena Cooper's ground-breaking study of the history of artistic copyright … illustrates the importance of copyright history if we are to critically examine the current copyright landscape and ongoing policy debates surrounding copyright … To look at the past with this impressive and painstakingly thorough book as our guide … is to engage with different perspectives from our own. Perspectives which … help the reader/explorer see … our own frenetic digital copyright landscape in a different and more critical light.’

Simon Stokes Source: Art Antiquity and the Law

‘Art and Modern Copyright: The Contested Image is a fine example of the rich scholarship that has come out of the last two decades' mobilisation of a field with productive new approaches to the study of copyright history … As the media theorist Marshal Mcluhan said, the 'medium is the message': any new technology needs a response from the law. Cooper's book may be a place to start when looking for an appropriate response.’

Stina Teilmann-Lock Source: Cambridge Law Journal

‘Drawing on extensive archival work … Cooper ably demonstrates her central claim that a consideration of how copyright law and art interacted in [the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries] brings new and valuable insights to our understanding of the law's modern development.’

Isabella Alexander Source: Legal Studies

‘Through its thematic breadth, the book meticulously analyzes different aspects of copyright law and its developments. Despite the fact that the book is highly dependent on study about UK law, the book does a great job in unpacking how social and economic context are closely related to the history of artistic copyright in general. For the those interested in investigating what purposes copyright ultimately serves, Dr. Cooper’s Art and Modern Copyright can be a great guidebook.’

Sophie Chung Source: Center for Art Law