Image Databases
A digital library of 550,000+ images for art, architecture, the humanities, and social sciences. Includes a set of tools to view, present, and manage images for research and pedagogical purposes. Help guides available.
Visual Resources Library Image Database
Electronic image database maintained by the Visual Resources Library in the Department of Art and Art History at SJSU.
An archive of photos, images and audio files from the Associated Press.
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Art & Architecture Source This link opens in a new window
This art research database covers a broad range of subjects from fine, decorative and commercial art, to various areas of architecture and architectural design. It features full-text articles, indexing and abstracts for an array of journals, books and more. It also has a collection of over 63,000 images provided by Picture Desk and other sources
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DAAI: Design and Applied Arts Index This link opens in a new windowCovers both new designers and the development of design and the applied arts. Disciplines covered include ceramics, glass, jewelry, wood, metalsmithing, graphic design, fashion and clothing, textiles, furniture, interior design, architecture, computer aided design, Web design, computer-generated graphics, animation, product design, industrial design, garden design, and landscape architecture. Period covered: Mid-19th century to present Dates of publications: 1973 to present.
Streaming Video
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Kanopy Streaming This link opens in a new window
Distributes online educational videos including documentaries, films, interviews plus a range of short video series. The videos are arranged by collections: Arts, Business, Communication/Media, Education (K-12), Health, Humanities, Science. Note: SJSU students, staff, and faculty: You will be asked to authenticate on and off campus. Kanopy uses copyright protection and DRM technology to block video streaming over platforms like Zoom. As a result, screen sharing is not permitted for restricted titles—viewers must watch individually, either outside of class or on their own devices during class. When screen sharing via Zoom, only the presenter is authenticated, so others will see a blank screen.
Online Image Resources and Digital Collections
Many museums have searchable databases of their collections. Below are some museums and libraries with rich collections. If you know a museum has holdings of artwork you are researching, find the website and look for the "collections" feature on the website.
Museums
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Cooper HewittThe Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design museum is located in New York City. You can browse the collection by many facets, including by color!
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Fine Arts Museums of San FranciscoImages and information about art in the de Young and Legion of Honor museums.
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Getty Museum CollectionsSearchable image database of artwork at the Getty Museum.
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Metropolitan Museum of ArtSearch the Collection Database and the Timeline of Art History
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Images from the SmithsonianImages from the Smithsonian Institution.
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Winterthur MuseumThe Winterthur Museum has an extensive furniture and decorative arts collection.
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SFMOMAExplore digital copies of art at SFMOMA
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MOMA CollectionVirtually explore the Museum of Modern Art's collection.
Libraries
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DPLA ImagesDPLA Images lets you search the Digital Public Library of America, a collection of millions of cultural heritage objects from libraries, archives, and museums across the country, for images.
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New York Public Library Digital CollectionsOver 700,000 items digitized from The New York Public Library's collections. A living database with new materials added every day, featuring prints, photographs, maps, manuscripts, streaming video, and more.