Digital Image Libraries

Digital Image Libraries

Origins and Functions

I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way.. things I had no words for.

-Georgia O’Keefe

Black Place I, 1944, Oil on Canvas (Accessed from ArtStor)

What is an image library?

• An image library, database or depository is meant for sharing digital image collections in the visual arts.

• Allows access for education and exposure to the arts.

• For publishing of images it becomes more accessible and cost effective.

Issues with image libraries?

• Copyright!

• Ownership and subscriptions to database.

• Large amount of images can be hard to navigate.

Before the image library:

Manet, Bar at the Folie-Bergere, 1881

Full size image Close up: Manet?

ARTstor

• A non-profit organization that makes available image library for educators’ needs in the arts and humanities.

• Collections are used for teaching and study in a wide range of subject areas, including art, architecture, music, religion, anthropology, literature, world history, American Studies, Asian Studies, Classical Studies, Medieval Studies, Renaissance Studies, and more.

New York Public Library Digital Gallery

• NYPL’s image database is an open access collection from their diverse collection.

• Collections include New York City 5th Avenue photographs, 16th century maps and drawings, etchings and lithographs from artists, and many more.

West 13th St. No. 72 - Princess Corsets - Ed. Pinaud, perfumerie - West 14th St. -No. 86 S.N. Wood & Co. (c1911) (Accessed from New York Public Library Digital Gallery).

Sistine Chapel Virtual Tour

• The Sistine Chapel virtual tour is a form of a digital library.

• It was created by photographing panoramic views to create a 360° image of the chapel.

• Partnership between the Vatican and Villanova University • Sistine Chapel Virtual Tour

Google Image Search

• Starting July 2001 Google implemented a image search through keywords.

• After many interfaces and changes the newest feature from Google, October 2011, “Search by Image”

“Search by Image”

Copyright and ReuseAdvanced Image Search :

Conclusion• Image art libraries (databases) are usually

images only and contain description and catalog information.

• Multiple types of institutions and companies can have image libraries.

• Web-based image collections, such as Google, use images from webpages.

• Be conscious of copyright and image quality for educational and professional purposes.

Resources

• University of Hawaii @ Manoa – “Find Images” LibGuide by Kanako Iwase

the Visual Resource Librarian

Image Resources - Art Research Guide -

LibGuides at University of Hawaii at Manoa