Posts from the Picture Collection

List of free online resources to help you delve into the many aspects of Latinx & Hispanic history and culture, all free with a library card.

In this episode, NYPL's Jessica Cline and photographer, publisher, and Pratt Institute photography professor Peter Kayafas discussed the history and scope of the Picture Collection, analyzing the concept of subjectivity in the subject headings assigned to images and considering how description shapes representation and creates trust in the work of librarians.

Romana Javitz led The New York Public Library’s Picture Collection, improving access for patrons and focusing on capturing American folk art and crafts, particularly African American culture and art.

In this episode, NYPL's Joshua Chuang and renowned art historian Svetlana Alpers, author of the recently published Walker Evans: Starting from Scratch, will discuss how the great American artist came to develop his eye, as well as the influential encounters Evans had as a young artist at the NYPL.

In this episode, NYPL curators Ian Fowler and Julie Golia analyzed maps, illustrations, and other primary sources from NYPL’s collections to look at the transformation of Brooklyn’s waterfront economy and built environment

Readers joined us for this discussion on Zoom from Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx; upstate in New Paltz; a patio in Santa Fe; a campground in California; a living room in Hawaii; and from more distant time zones of Sicily and Mumbai.

The enduring appeal of Art Deco is quite remarkable. It is also a paradox—both nostalgic, yet vanguard. And we never know when the style will pop up again.

NYPL's Susan Kriete and Cara Dellatte used two evocative photos to piece together the life of "Militant" Maude Malone, who was not only a feminist and activist, but also a NYPL Librarian.

Including genealogy, the performing arts, LGBT studies and more.

"When I started reading [vintage postcards], it felt like reading someone’s text messages, tweets, or Instagram posts from a hundred years ago."

Perhaps some of their projects can support and inspire some of yours as well.

How did chocolate and Valentine's Day get linked anyway?

In this interview with Palmer, get a behind-the-scenes look at her short film "A is for Aye-Aye." Also, check out two upcoming workshops (including animation for kids) inspired by the film.

See what it's like to "dar un paseo" (take a leisurely stroll) down one of the most famous avenues in Havana.

The NYPL Picture Collection has more than 12,000 subject headings, but can only choose one per image. Here's how they make the right selection among a mountain of choices.

Want the chance to be crowned king or queen for a day? Try baking or eating a King's Day cake, a worldwide tradition.

Explore a colorful visual record of NYC and see the beginnings of the postcard phenomenon in the United States.

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi's "The Death of Murata Sansuke" and John Trumbull's "Battle at Bunker's Hill" share striking similarities.

In June 1965, photographer Dorothea Lange wrote a letter to Picture Collection Librarian Romana Javitz saying, “It would be very fine, very fine indeed, if we could spend a Picture-Lovers afternoon together....”