Reproductions & Permissions

Permissions for images and materials in the Getty Library’s collections

Digital Collections and Library Catalog

Digital Collections and Library Catalog

Explore freely available images of selected materials from digital collections in the Library Catalog.

Please note:

  • Public domain images are suitable for most purposes but may have usage restrictions. Review the Use Restrictions field for additional information.

  • Non-public domain images can be downloaded for personal study, noncommercial use, or fair use under US copyright law.

  • For different file sizes or permission to publish non-public domain images, submit the Reproductions and Permissions Request Form (Collection Image Fees may apply).

Materials for Exhibition Use

Exhibition uses include:

  • Reproductions as substitutes for original works
  • Gallery wall graphics
  • Didactic panels
  • Electronic uses (e.g., interactive displays, videos, slide shows)
  • Promotional materials (print and electronic)
  • Exhibition catalogues (print and electronic)
  • Ephemera
  • Websites

Reproductions and permissions requests for exhibition use require 6 months.

Fees

  • Collection Image Fees may apply to orders.
  • Requests for over 30 images require Getty Research Institute approval.
  • Additional fees may be charged.

Submission Process

Exhibition requests require answers to the following questions. Please enter the answers in the "Any questions or additional information" section at the bottom of the Reproductions and Permissions Request Form.

  1. Exhibition location (name of institution, building, facility, etc.)
  2. Exhibition title
  3. Exhibition dates
  4. Curator(s)
  5. Will the image(s) be published in an exhibition catalogue?
  6. Will the images be available via the Internet in any context? Include URL.
  7. Will the exhibition travel to other venues? If so, where and how will the image(s) appear at the other venue(s)? NOTE: Any uses of the image(s) by other venues for this exhibition require the express permission of the Getty Research Institute and applicable Collection Image Fees may apply. In these cases, please direct requesters to our website to request permission to display and/or publish the image(s).
  8. For what purpose(s) will the image(s) be used in the exhibition? Please specify:
    a. to produce facsimile(s) of the original material(s) for exhibition display (facsimiles must be produced at 1:1 ratio. If a facsimile will not be reproduced at scale, this must be indicated on the exhibition label.)
    b. for exhibition ephemera such as: wall panels, gallery graphics, didactic display, interactive media, audio guides, multi-media presentation, wall labels, promotional uses such as brochures, handouts, street banners, posters, etc.
    c. for exhibition-related merchandise (subject to approval)
    d. on social media
    e. in moving image material related to the exhibition
  9. Please provide digital file specifications for oversized reproductions, such as posters and street banners.

Borrowing Original Collection Materials

Review our Conditions for Borrowing Collection Materials if you intend to borrow original materials for exhibition use.

Use of Audiovisual Materials

To request audiovisual material for digital purposes such as public screenings, gallery projections, audio guides, exhibition websites, or presentations, adhere to the following guidelines:

  1. Review Usage Conditions: Familiarize yourself with the Getty Research Institute’s Conditions for Use of Audiovisual Materials:
    • Permission from the Getty Research Institute for access and use of the material is not a grant of permission for further reproduction or distribution in any form or for any purpose.
    • Requester is responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions from rights holders prior to public use of material and will indemnify Getty for any breach of this agreement. This includes, but is not limited to: intellectual property, rights of publicity and/or privacy, and rights for images of works of art not in the public domain.
    • Requesters, participants, or audience members cannot record, reuse, or redistribute the material in whole or part, or in stills, without the written permission from all rights holders.
    • Requester will use only the segments/stills of the material that are needed and have been approved for the exhibition/presentation/production/publication.
    • Requester guarantees deletion of digital media from all digital repositories and/or return of physical media to the Getty Research Institute after use.
  2. Approval and Rights Analysis: Requests for reformatting or access are subject to approval and rights analysis.
  3. Reformatting Timeline: If audiovisual material needs reformatting, allow 9 months.
  4. Submission Process: Audiovisual requests require answers to the following questions. Please enter the answers in the "Any questions or additional information" section at the bottom of the Reproductions and Permissions Request Form.

  • Program/project/exhibition location (name of institution, building, facility, etc.)

  • Program/project/exhibition title

  • Program/project/exhibition date(s)

  • Organizer(s)/Curator(s)/Creator(s)

  • Will the material be available via the Internet in any context? Include URL.

  • Will the program/project/exhibition travel to other venues? If so, where and how will the material be used at the other venue(s)? NOTE: Any uses of the material(s) by other venues for this exhibition require the express permission of the Getty Research Institute. In these cases, please direct requesters to our website to request permission to display and/or publish the image(s).

  • For what purpose will the material be used in the program/project/exhibition? For example, public or gallery screening, interactive media, multi-media presentation, exhibition website, film festival, classroom use, etc. Please be specific.

  • Will you be streaming the entire work, or just excerpts? If excerpts, have you already reviewed the material and recorded the time stamps? If not, do you require remote access to the material for review purposes? If so, please include the time stamp(s).

Be aware of intellectual property rights when using materials from the Getty Library:

  • Ownership: The J. Paul Getty Trust does not hold copyrights for most materials in its collections. Consequently, it cannot grant or deny permission to publish them or identify copyright holders.
  • Research Support: Consult the Copyright Research Guide for guidance on researching the copyright status of an item.
  • Prior Permission: Ensure that you have located and obtained permission from the individual(s) or entities claiming intellectual property rights before using images from the Getty Library.
  • Quotations: If the Getty Research Institute holds the copyright to the material or the material is in the public domain, you do not need permission. In many cases, the Research Institute does not hold the copyright. It is the responsibility of the requester to identify and obtain any necessary permission from third parties who may claim copyright.
  • Standard Credit Line: Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (*add collection ID/accession number, if known). If you have received a Research Institute permissions invoice, review the captions page for credit line.
  • The preferred citation for unpublished archival material can also be found in the finding aids for many archives.
  • For information about researching the copyright status of an item, consult our Copyright Research Guide.

Request Form for Reproductions and Permissions

We require up to 12 weeks prior to the requester’s editorial deadline. Submit the Reproductions and Permissions Form for permission to use materials in print and electronic publications, exhibitions, marketing, social media, streaming, or other non-study-related uses.

  • Requests are processed in the order they are received.
  • All requests are subject to approval and copyright restrictions may apply.
  • Review the Collection Image Fees before proceeding with form submission.

Steps to Complete a Request Form:

  1. Fill out the Reproductions and Permissions Request Form and click "Submit."
  2. Terms of Use will appear as a pop-up window. Review the terms and conditions. Scroll to the bottom using the cursor on the right-hand side. Check the box on the lower left hand side indicating that you have read and agree to the Terms and Conditions. Click "Submit Request" on the bottom right-hand side.
  3. After submitting the form, you will be contacted by library staff and may be asked to provide more detailed information about your use.

Request Forms

Images and audiovisual material for reproduction/exhibition use in print or digital media: Reproductions and Permissions Request Form

If you require audiovisual material for digital use beyond personal study, review the Getty Research Institute’s Conditions for Use of Audiovisual Materials before submitting the Reproductions and Permissions Form.

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

Contact Us

If you have questions or difficulties submitting the form:
Email: reference@getty.edu
Phone: (310) 440-7390
Mail: Attn: Getty Library Reference
Getty Research Institute
Getty Library
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, CA 90049

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