Image Collections

Image collections and databases listed here were created, purchased or subscribed to by RIT Library.

  • ARTstor
    A rich digital library that offers collections of art images and descriptive information as well as the software tools to enable active use of the collections. The ARTstor Library's initial content includes approximately 500,000 images covering art, architecture and archeology.
  • CAMIO (Catalog of Art Museum Images Online)
    A growing online collection documenting works of art from around the world. Images, text and multimedia represent a broad range of works of art from the collections of prominent museums, highlighting the creative output of cultures around the world, from prehistoric to contemporary times, and covering the complete range of expressive forms.
  • AP Images
    A vast collection of over 750,000 searchable current and historical photographs from the Associated Press’ archive.
  • RIT Library's Art Collection
    The history, description and catalog of the library's art collection and other works on display in the library.
  • RIT's Cary Collection
    One of the country's premier libraries on the history and practice of printing. The web site includes an extensive digital image database.
  • Medieval Manuscripts
    Digital images on leaves from medieval manuscript (Western Europe: 12th - 16th centuries) in the Cary Collection.
  • Archives Photography Collection
    Digital images from the RIT Archives covering the RIT campus, academics, and student life.
  • Special Collections at RIT Library
    Includes a wide variety of published and unpublished materials. The collections include materials on all aspects of the fine and applied arts and photography, with greatest strengths in graphic design and applied photography.

  • Design Concepts
    A tutorial using AMICO images to explore formal design elements.
  • DesignArchiveOnline 20th Century Editorial Design
    An online learning resource focusing on the history of twentieth-century magazine design and photography. A collection of approximately one-thousand images with supporting documentation drawn from materials in the RIT Library Special Collections.
  • DesignArchiveOnline 20th Century Information Design
    An online learning resource focusing on the history of information design drawn from materials in the RIT Library Special Collections.
  • Poster Collections Online

    • Jacqueline Casey - the library's Special Collections contains 99 posters and 4 record covers designed by Jacqueline Casey dating from 1963 to 1990. Jacqueline Casey worked as a graphic designer for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

    • Edward Penfield - The Cary Graphic Arts Collection in RIT Library contains examples of posters by the American artist Edward Penfield, 1866-1925. The
      posters were created for Harper's Magazine and date from 1896 to 1899.
    • Polish Posters - online access to over 447 posters housed in the library's Archives and Special Collections. The posters were produced to promote Polish cultural and entertainment events, health, tourism, and political causes. Includes numerous examples of the work of noted Polish illustrators and designers.

  • Artist Books and Related Multiples at RIT Library
    A online sample of the artists' books in the library's Special Collections.
  • RIT Library Photo Purchase Prizes
    The Purchase Prize Photo Collection is photographic media pieces by 125 RIT students. Covers the history, description and catalog of the collection.
  • NTID Deaf Art/Deaf Artists (formerly known as IADA: International Archive of Deaf Artists Images)
    An online database created by NTID faculty highlighting Deaf artists and their work.

  • Gardner's Art Through the Ages
    880 digital images from the 10th edition of Gardner's Art Through the Ages edited by Richard G. Tansey and Fred S. Kleiner (1996). Useful to those taking the course, Art and Civilization.