Public Law Studies Quarterly

Legal Reflection on Artisic Expression: Artistic Freedom of Expression in Painting within the Framework of the International Human Rights System

Document Type : Article

Author

Aramesh Shahbazi

Associate Prof., Department of Public Law and International Law, Faculty of Law and Political ‎Science, Allame Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran‎

https://doi.org/10.22059/jplsq.2024.367607.3427
Abstract
Art is often a narrative, and a painter, like other artists, generally depicts a story that has passed through them or that they have experienced. Nevertheless, the product of a painter's work, like any other artistic creation, is considered a cultural commodity, and the creation of a painting signifies its entry into a realm where laws play a serious role in regulating the relationships among actors and governing the interactions between various elements and phenomena. The subject of this research is the limitations imposed on the scope of artistic freedom of expression for painters within the domain of international human rights law. A brief reflection on the theories and practices of the European Human Rights Committee and Court indicates a lack of alignment between theoretical and practical approaches in establishing a uniform judicial precedent regarding artistic freedom of expression for painters in the international human rights system. This situation leads to a narrow or broad interpretation of artistic freedom, influenced by national security, public morals, and even political considerations, regardless of the artistic or non-artistic nature of the painter's efforts. On the other hand, the door remains open for the application of interpretative principles in the international human rights system to define the limits and boundaries of artistic freedom for painters.

Keywords

freedom of artistic expression
international human rights
art interpretation
Human Rights Committee
European Court of Human Rights
Subjects

  1. English & French

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    1. C) Documents &Websites
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    References in Persian:

    - Articles

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Public Law Studies Quarterly
Volume 55, Issue 3 - Serial Number 43
Autumn 2025
Autumn 2025
Pages 1971-1994

  • Receive Date 04 November 2023
  • Revise Date 15 December 2023
  • Accept Date 06 May 2024

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