Computerized methods for searching pictures are becoming more common. With these it ispossible to make powerful search requests using a combination of terms and search oncomprehensive descriptions of the pictures. The descriptions can encompass various aspectsof the content and allow different interpretations and levels of detail.This essay is about how you can examine and describe the content of a picture from manypoints of view. We have tried to identify differences in searching behaviour, and studiedsome methods for indexing of pictures. Our concepts are taken from the philosophy of artand from theories about the meaning of languages.In the future perhaps libraries can make pictures and illustrations in books available to thepublic, in a sophisticated system, for the purpose of providing visual documentation forstudy, research or other kinds of exploitation.

Computerized methods for searching pictures are becoming more common. With these it ispossible to make powerful search requests using a combination of terms and search oncomprehensive descriptions of the pictures. The descriptions can encompass various aspectsof the content and allow different interpretations and levels of detail.This essay is about how you can examine and describe the content of a picture from manypoints of view. We have tried to identify differences in searching behaviour, and studiedsome methods for indexing of pictures. Our concepts are taken from the philosophy of artand from theories about the meaning of languages.In the future perhaps libraries can make pictures and illustrations in books available to thepublic, in a sophisticated system, for the purpose of providing visual documentation forstudy, research or other kinds of exploitation.