Oh, there is a site dedicated entirely to reviewing works (“from classic works of art to absentminded doodles”) that have entered the public domain, and I have only just found out about it this very minute.

The Collections – The vast majority of our content exists in our curated collections of images, books, audio and film, in which we shine a light on curiosities and wonders from a wide range of online archives. Some highlights include visions of the future from late 19th century France, a dictionary of Victorian slang and a film showing the very talented “hand-farting” farmer of Michigan.

The Essays – Each fortnight we publish a new long-form essay in which leading scholars, writers, archivists, and artists offer insight and reflection upon the oft overlooked histories which surround public domain works – from a history of the smile in portraiture to the case of the woman who claimed to give birth to rabbits. Contributors include Julian Barnes, George Prochnik, Frank Delaney and Richard Hamblyn. (If you’d like to contribute please see our Submissions page).

There is an entire essay about the history of smiling in European portraiture, which should dovetail nicely with my forthcoming “Famous Unsmilers Of Art History.” There is nothing in the world I love better than judging the past; this is the site for me. Have you longed to read about 16th-century monster illustrations? Or the 1810 illustrated version of Cinderella’s Adventure’s? Then this is the site for you too.