public-domain

Public Domain Image Search

A simple tool to search across multiple public domain and Creative Commons image collections simultaneously.

What It Does

When a user enters a search term, this tool creates search links for 11 major institutional collections:

1. Public Domain Image Archive - General public domain images
2. Smithsonian Open Access - Over 3 million images from Smithsonian collections
3. Artvee - Classical artwork and vintage illustrations
4. Metropolitan Museum of Art - Public domain works from The Met
5. Library of Congress - Historical photographs and prints (in grid view)
6. Getty - Getty Museum and Research Institute collections
7. Rijksmuseum - Dutch art and historical objects
8. Digital Commonwealth - Creative Commons historical collections from Massachusetts
9. NYPL Digital Collections - New York Public Library digital collections
10. Paris Museums - Open access artworks from Paris museums
11. National Gallery of Art - Open access images from NGA collection

How It Helps

Instead of visiting each site individually, users can enter one search term and quickly access results from all these collections. Each search opens in a new tab, allowing users to easily compare results across different institutions.

The tool is particularly useful for:

• Researchers looking for historical images
• Artists seeking public domain inspiration
• Educators searching for teaching materials
• Anyone needing freely usable images

Usage

1. Enter your search term
2. Click search
3. Results will open in new tabs for each collection

Note

Make sure your browser allows popups for this site to open multiple search results simultaneously.