Virtual Collection of Asian Masterpieces (VCM)
Asia-Europe Museum Network (ASEMUS), Singapore
Image from Virtual Collection of Asian Masterpieces, used under CC BY-NC-SA 2.5.
Description 
A descriptive note detailing the content and context of the digital collection.
The Virtual Collection of Asian Masterpieces (VCM) is a project started in 2007 by the Asia Europe Museum Network (ASEMUS). The objective is to “promote mutual understanding and appreciation between peoples of various and different cultures” using masterpieces from museums in Asia. As indicated by VCM, a masterpiece have varying definitions and may be due to:
- artists intention
- association with a special person or event
- rare work
- designated national treasure
- a favourite among visitors
As of October 2015, there are more than 2,500 masterpieces contributed by more than 100 museums. Users can conduct a keyword search or browse the masterpieces by museum, object type, place or period.
Collection Type Broad terms that define the type of digital collection
Subject Broad terms or phrases that describe, identify, or interpret the digital image collection and what it depicts or expresses. Values were obtained using the Art and Architecture Thesaurus (AAT) by the Getty Research Institute.
Style Period Terms that define the styles, art periods, movements, etc. whose characteristics are represented in digital image collection. Values were obtained using the Art and Architecture Thesaurus (AAT) by the Getty Research Institute
Work Types Terms that identify the kinds of works in the digital collection being described. It typically refers to a work’s physical form, function, or medium in digital image collection. Values were obtained using the Thesaurus For Graphic Materials (TGM) by Library of Congress.
Openness Openness of the digital collection determined using the 4R activities by Wiley (2010).
Allow Reuse, Redistribute, Revise and Remix for educational and non-commercial purposes
Notes on Usage Additional notes on the terms of use on the digital images in the collection.
Images uploaded to the site are released under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5). Attribution is therefore required and images can be cited by including the creator name (if any), source with URL to the digital image found and the CC license:
e.g. Image from Virtual Collection of Asian Masterpieces, used under CC BY-NC-SA 2.5.
e.g. Image from Virtual Collection of Asian Masterpieces, used under CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 / Cropped from original.
For more information on acknowledging images with other citation styles, refer here.
Please check their Creative Commons license for full details before using images.
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