Here are some answers to the questions we are asked most frequently about images, reproduction rights and image use.

Finding images

There are two main ways to find images of our artworks:

• First, try searching on Wikimedia Commons. Images on Wikimedia are public domain, which means they are free for anyone to download and use for any purpose.
• Alternatively, browse our own online database, which contains hundreds of thousands of zoomable images of Nationalmuseum's collections.

Contacting us

If this page doesn't answer your image question, you can contact us directly.

E-mail: images@nationalmuseum.se
Phone: +46 8 519 543 00

Ordering images

How do I order images?

If you cannot find an image of the artwork you are interested in on Wikimedia or in our database, you can order an image by filling in this form.

Please note that the more information you give us about the artwork in question (title, artist name, inventory number, etc), the quicker we'll be able to handle your order. Citing an inventory number is the surest way to speed up the process and prevent misunderstandings/errors. You can find the artwork’s inventory number in our online database.

What if I cannot find the image in the online database?

All the images we have are in our database. If an object in the database doesn't have an image, we unfortunately do not have one.

Getting an image of that object will require new pictures to be taken. You can order new photos here.

Can I order new photos of artworks that only have a black-and-white or no image?

Whether or not we can take new photos of artworks greatly depends on the current workload of our photographers, the location and availability of the artwork, and how complex it would be to organise a photo shoot.

You are always welcome to submit a request for new photos. We will be happy to assess whether it would be possible to take new photos. Though we always strive to provide you with the images you request, we reserve the right to decline a photography order if we deem it too difficult to execute.

How will I get my images?

We will e-mail you a download link. If you haven’t received our e-mail, please check your spam folder.

When will I get my images?

We handle all orders as soon as we can, by order date. Delivery time depends on how many orders we are currently processing, but is usually about a week.

If you've asked for new photos to be taken, delivery time depends on our staff's current workload and may be up to 4 weeks. For a more specific timeframe, please contact us.

How do I pay?

If your order is subject to a fee, we will send an invoice to the billing address stated in your order. If you'd like to receive the invoice by e-mail, please let us know.

Note: An invoice will be sent to the billing address even if you requested one by e-mail. You can then disregard one of the two invoices.

Using images

Images found on Wikimedia may be used for any purpose you like, without contacting us.

Images you ordered from us may be used for the purpose specified in your order. If you want to use them for other purposes, please e-mail us and we will help you.

For more details on use of our images, please see Rights and reproductions.

Credit

How should I credit the images?

We'll usually give you the correct photo credit information when we deliver your images. If we don't, the correct credit line is 'Photo: [Photographer’s First and Last Name] / Nationalmuseum'.

If the photographer’s name is not known, the credit line is simply 'Photo: Nationalmuseum'.

For more details on how to properly credit our images, please see Rights and reproductions.

How can I find the photographer's name?

When you get your image, you might be able to find the photographer’s name by checking the image file’s properties on your computer.

In Windows, right-click the file and select 'Properties' at the bottom of the list. In the window that opens, go to the tab called “'Information. There, in the 'Copyright' field, you should see the photographer’s name.

Alternatively, feel free to e-mail and ask us for the photographer’s name.

Visiting the image archives

Can I come view material from the archives?

You can visit us by appointment. As Nationalmuseum's archives are stored outside of the museum, we recommend contacting us well before your visit.