Why Are Pictures So Powerful?
Pictures reach audiences more directly than text alone.
They communicate the author’s tone and approach to the subject,
and enhance our understanding and enjoyment of the text. Illustrations
explain complicated ideas at a glance and even teach those who cannot
Why Do Books Include Pictures?
Pictures add beauty, color, and life to the printed
page. They engage us, prompt our imagination, and appeal to readers
and non-readers alike.
Explore the power of pictures through these examples
from the Smithsonian Institution Libraries’ collections in
science, history, and art.