Frequently Asked Questions about the Open Content Program

How do I find images available under the Open Content Program?

Getty Research Institute Images

Find Open Content images in the Getty Research Institute’s collection through the Getty Search Gateway.

Getty Museum Images

Find Open Content images in the Getty Museum’s collection through its collection online.

If an image is available under the Open Content Program, a “Download image” button will appear below the image of the artwork, as shown below.

The image I want isn’t available for download. Why not?

Getty may not have a high-resolution digital file or the rights to release an image due to:

• Privacy or publicity issues surrounding people depicted in an image.
• Contractual obligations concerning how Getty may distribute the material.
• Copyright that is held by another party, or not yet fully researched.

Images that fall into these categories may appear on Getty’s website, but we are unable to offer them for free download.

I need an image that is not available under the Open Content Program. How can I get it?

For images of artworks from the J. Paul Getty Museum, please see Museum Rights & Reproductions. Fees may apply.

For images of materials from the Getty Research Institute, please see Library Reproductions & Permissions. Fees may apply.

For images of Getty Center or Getty Villa architecture and gardens, contact Getty Trust Communications at (310) 440-7360 or communications@getty.edu.

How do I download an image?

Getty Museum images

Click the “Download image” button directly under the artwork. This will launch a one-click download at a large size. To choose from additional images sizes, click the arrow to the right of the button and make your selection. Save the image.

Getty Research Institute Images

Select “Online access available” from the Library Catalog record to see the artwork. Click the download icon at the top right of the screen. Save the image.

What size are the images that are offered for download?

Images have been compressed and are available in different dimensions and file sizes.

All digital files from the Getty Research Institute, and both the “Large” and “Highest Resolution” images from the Getty Museum, are of sufficient quality for use in print publications.

If printing an image from the Getty Museum, see Guidelines for Successful Printing (PDF, 312KB) for more information.

To determine the exact file size of an image (and, if not displayed, pixel dimensions):

• Download the desired image.
• Save it to a location on your computer.
• Right-click on the image.
• From the menu that opens, select “Get Info” or “Properties.”

I need a larger digital file than what you offer for free download. Can you help?

You can request a larger image, color correction, or new photography for images in the Open Content Program.

We charge a fee for this service. See Collection Image Fees (PDF, 91 KB) for details.

If the source for the image is the J. Paul Getty Museum, please complete and submit a Museum Open Content Image Request Form (PDF, 1 MB).

If the source for the image is the Getty Research Institute, please review the information at Library Reproductions & Permissions.

What is the copyright status of Getty Open Content images?

Images in the Open Content Program fall into two categories:

1. Images of works that are in the public domain in the United States. The works depicted in the images are not protected by copyright, but Getty may have a copyright interest in the digital image of the work.
2. Images of works or material for which Getty owns the copyright.

In either case, to the extent that Getty owns copyright in the digital images or in what the digital images depict, we have chosen to make the images freely available under CC0.

However, some images may include people or objects for which a third party may claim rights (e.g., trademark, copyright, privacy, or publicity rights). Getty does not guarantee that all of its Open Content images are free from rights claimed by third parties. As the user, it is your responsibility to do that research.

What uses and alterations (e.g., cropping, overprinting) of the Open Content images are allowed?

Getty places no restrictions on the use, modification, or reuse of Open Content images. The only requirement is that you not suggest or imply endorsement by the Getty. See our Terms of Use for more information.

How should I credit images from the Open Content Program?

Please include the following credit line after the artwork caption:

Digital image courtesy of Getty’s Open Content Program.

Please do not suggest or imply endorsement by Getty. See our Terms of Use for more information.

My editor or publisher requires written permission to use an Open Content image. Whom do I contact?

The J. Paul Getty Trust does not issue individual permission letters to authors or publishers for material made available through the Open Content Program.

Instead, Getty is pleased to grant this general permission to reproduce any image from its Open Content image repository to the extent the Getty has rights to do so.

The image may include people or objects for which a third party may claim rights; Getty is not giving permission to exploit any such third party rights. As the user or publisher, you must ascertain whether any such rights exist, pay any royalties or fees claimed by any third party, and obtain all other permission that may be required for your use of the image.

To confirm that an image is part of the Open Content Program, look for the CC0-public domain icon or either of these sentences on the image record page: “This image is available for free download and may be used for any purpose under Getty’s Open Content Program.” or, “Digital image courtesy of Getty’s Open Content Program.”

I previously licensed an image from Getty that is now available under the Open Content Program. Do I need to permission to reuse the previous image?

No.

Do you require a gratis copy of publications in which an open content image is reproduced?

No, but we would appreciate a gratis copy of any scholarly publications in which the images are reproduced in order to maintain the collection bibliography. Copies may be sent to the attention of:

Open Content Program
Registrar's Office
The J. Paul Getty Museum
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1000
Los Angeles, CA 90049

Are Getty and its Open Content Program affiliated with Getty Images?

No. The Open Content Program is an initiative of the Getty Trust and is not connected in any way with Getty Images.

Have another question?

Regarding images of artworks from the J. Paul Getty Museum, email rights@getty.edu.

Regarding images of materials from the Getty Research Institute, email reference@getty.edu.

Questions may be added to this page to help other users.