On this page:
Basic image search
Image searches can be entered into the general search bar on JSTOR and, like text results, may be filtered to narrow results from most pages or be entered from the image-specific search page.
Search Images on JSTOR
You can also limit general search results to images only in any of the following ways:
- Select the Images tab above the search bar
- Filter for "Images" under Content Type in the Refine Results sidebar
- Select the View...images link after the image thumbnail ribbon, if available
Advanced image search
For more specific image searching, Advanced Search is available to help narrow your results through more detailed fielded search, Boolean, and filtering options.
Advanced Image Search on JSTOR
Drop-down Field menus are available from the advanced image search page. Use one or more of these to select from the following specific fielded metadata options:
- Creator
- Title
- Subject
- Work type
- Style or Period
- Location
- Culture
- Material
Boolean search drop-down menus can also be used to refine your query. Select from the following operators: AND, OR, and NOT
In the Narrow your results section you can specify a date range, and under Classification, filters are available for select images from curated groups such as Paintings, Humanities and Social Sciences, Maps, Charts, and Graphs and more.
Browsing image search results
From any image item page, you can use the Previous item and Next item links before the image viewer or the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate your image search results. This is particularly helpful when browsing a smaller group or quantity of image results.
For browsing within a larger set of image results, you might refine your search criteria using filters and facets or use the image search result gallery view for a more visual way to scan results.
Browsing related items
You can discover content related to any item you are currently viewing by scrolling down on the item page to the Related images section of the page. You can then click on any of those related images, to go to that image item page. You can also explore Related text in this way to connect an image to primary or secondary source text items.
This browsing method, which relies on metadata and conceptual similarities, can uncover content you may not have previously been aware of.
Saving images to your Workspace
When searching for images on JSTOR, you can save one or more items to your Workspace from the search results page. In addition, when viewing an image item page, you can also save the image or zoomed image detail views. See Saving items to your Workspace for more information.
Exporting citations for images
You can export citations for one or more images directly from the search results page, or individually from the image item page. Style options to cite an image include MLA, APA, and Chicago. See Citation Management: Exporting Citations from JSTOR for more information.
Downloading images
You can download images for offline use directly from the search results page or when viewing an image item page. Downloaded images will include the image's creator, title, and date, if available, in the filename.
Please note that the option to download an image will only be available if the contributing institution has enabled downloads for the collection and you have access to the content that you're viewing. If you're affiliated with a library, university, or school that subscribes to JSTOR content, you may have additional access through those institutions. Check our subscribing institution search to see if this applies to you.
You may be asked to review and accept the JSTOR Terms and Conditions of use before accepting the download.
From the search results page
To download an image from the search results page, click the Download button after the item thumbnail and name.
From the image item page
To download an image from the image item page, click the Download button before the image viewer.
Additionally, you can download an image detail view by zooming in on the image in the image viewer before downloading. The resulting ZIP file will contain both the full image and the zoomed image detail.
Training and videos
Webinars
Sign up for our regularly-scheduled webinars and view past webinars on-demand at about.jstor.org/webinars.
- Orientation for librarians and faculty: Working with images on JSTOR - Prepare to use images on JSTOR! Explore time-saving features and functionality that make finding, gathering, curating, and sharing images on JSTOR easy and efficient.
Videos
Visit the JSTOR YouTube channel for how-to videos on working and teaching with images or check out our playlist below.
LibGuides
LibGuides can be helpful, manageable resources for librarians and their patrons to start their research or learn about ways to use JSTOR.