On this page:
Basic image search
Image searches can be entered into the general search bar and, like text results, may be filtered to narrow results from most pages or be entered from the image-specific search page.
Keywords or phrases that contain relevant text will return image results either as contained within the total results or may be filtered to include only image-specific results.
Search Images on JSTOR
Once you have a keyword or phrase you are interested in researching using the general search, your result count will include both the total number of search results (of text and images) and the image-only results count.
Limit your image search results by either checking the "Images" checkbox (found under Primary Source Content) or select the tab above the search bar to limit your results to only images related to your search.
To view the full item page, select a specific image.
Image item pages contain the selected image in an embedded image viewer for a variety of viewing experiences (such as compare and zoom-in or out functionalities) in addition to a variety of information about the image including the source, date, medium, and copyright information related to the image.
From the image item page, you may also export and adjust image citations, share the image, or save it to your Workspace.
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 Results section of the advanced search page, additionally enter formatted date ranges (either in CE- Current or Common Era or BCE, Before Common Era)
Classification filters are also available for select images from curated groups such as Paintings, Humanities and Social Sciences, Maps, Charts, and Graphs and more.
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.
Browsing related images
From any specific image page, you can use the arrows before the image viewer to page-through 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.
To quickly browse through related image results from any image detail page, select the arrows available before the image viewer: Previous (<) or Next (>) as related results are available. Track your progress by noting the count of the item image you are viewing will appear out of the total available image results from your search.
If you are viewing the first or last available image result, only one of these options may be available.
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.