NGA Images is a repository of more than 45,000 open access, digital images of the collections of the National Gallery of Art. On this website you can search, browse, share, and download images.The images are free of charge for download and use.
Type of Material:
Collection
Recommended Uses:
Since the 45,000+ digital images of work in the National Gallery are free for download and use, the recommended uses can be many, many things. The images can be used for research, to help understand history, to compare how different artists interpreted the same event or scene, to get ideas for stories, poems, or new works of art. This resource can be used for homework, lecture, and self-paced learning.
Technical Requirements:
Internet access.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Study in the Visual Arts to the dissemination of knowledge to visitors and to the widest possible online audiences, the National Gallery of Art seeks to educate. The Gallery reaches out to students of all ages and to the general public through informed publications on its collections and exhibitions and an array of educational programs, films, and online initiatives. The National Gallery of Art recognizes that both the dissemination of information and the enhancement of the aesthetic experience are essential to fostering understanding of works of art. On this website you can search, browse, share, and download images. A standards-based reproduction guide and a help section provide advice for both novices and experts. More than 45,000 open access digital images, up to 4000 pixels each are available free of charge for download and use. NGA Images is designed to facilitate learning, enrichment, enjoyment and exploration.
Target Student Population:
All ages.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
None needed. However, if you have an appreciation for art, you will really enjoy browsing, curating, and exploring this huge collection.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
High quality digital reproductions of artwork where users can search, browse, share, and download images. Functions, such as the lightbox, are extremely useful for integrating materials into a classroom setting. After collecting images into the lightbox, the user can download them into zipped, PowerPoints, or ODP files. This is useful for setting up presentation
Concerns:
None
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
A key strength of this site is the immediate online access and free use of these many collections of artworks for educators and their students. So many teachers and students live in areas where there are no major museums. This site allows educators to bring the museum to them. Depending on the intended use for the selected images or browsed images, the learning can readily be integrated into the curriculum. The search slot and the advanced search options allow users to really investigate the images. Many different learning assignments can be developed from the images found at NGA Images.
Besides searching and browsing, users can also take advantage of the Lightbox feature on the site.The lightbox feature allows users to create a working folder that is displayed across the bottom of the screen. Lightboxes allow users to save, share, and download multiple images at a time. Users must register for a free account at NGA Images to use all the lightbox features. Educators and older students could actually curate their own collections of art to share, present, or research. Users can actually annotate or add personal notes to a lightbox or each image within the lightbox. These notes are private and only shown when the user is logged in. The notes cannot be shared with others
Concerns:
None
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The site has a clean, clear, intuitive layout. The information users need to begin immediately using the site is easy to find and use. Tabs across the top of the site clearly indicate Home, Advanced Search, Collections, Lightbox, Contacts, My Details, Help, and Open Access. My Details is for managing the user's free account, password, and user details. The Open Access tab clearly explains the open access policy for images of works of art presumed in the public domain. And, it explains why a work may not be currently available under open access.
The information under the Help tab is very organized. Information and tips on searching, using the lightbox, downloading images, and registering an account are all available. There is also a Technical Guide that address aspects of using the images such as reproduction guide, color management, image quality, CMYK color space, and image sizes for reproduction. Having this information readily available onsite is extremely useful to those who need or want to make sure their downloaded images meet expected quality standards.
Creative Commons:
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You entered an email address. Would you like to search for members? Click Yes to continue. If no, materials will be displayed first. You can refine your search with the options on the left of the results page.
