I know at least a couple of people who have CD covers that depict ships. Two of them own the originals of the oil paintings that appear on the CD. One found out, however, that owning the painting did not give him the right to reproduce it. As I recall, the painter was happy to give permission for reproduction, at no charge.
The other was unable to locate the painter, but used the artwork anyhow.
I suppose the expiration of copyright on paintings is the same as for song lyrics, so paintings older than 1923 should be in the public domain - is that correct?
-Joe Offer-