The Digital Network for Collections tested a new approach for subject indexing of image databases together with the Media Library of the Institute for Art and Visual History (IKB) at HU Berlin.
The test was based on a collection of art history images from the 19th century. Many of the approximately 100,000 objects in this collection have been digitized in recent years and made publicly accessible via the HU Berlin media repository.
During the digital cataloging process, the objects depicted in the images were assigned a reference data ID from the Wikimedia database (e.g., Neue Wache in Berlin -> Q152341).
This allows for clear identification and provides access to extensive information about the referenced objects on Wikidata. The Data Inspector was developed to use this information for content-related indexing of the image collection. The search and filter options do not work with the data in the image database, but use the information available in Wikidata. For the found objects – which include paintings, sculptures, drawings, churches, squares, fountains, and more – the images showing these objects are listed.
With one click, users can access the dataset in the IKB's source database. There, they can access detailed metadata, including information about the respective slide or photo as a physical object, as well as numerous export and download options.
The application is intended as a laboratory tool. It is used to test the approach of reference data-based subject indexing in a significant use case (approximately 50,000 image objects with references to about 18,000 items).
Click here to access the Data Inspector.
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Notes on Design and Usage
The search function is based on the labels, descriptions, and aliases of the referenced Wikidata items in the following languages:
German, English, French, and Italian.
Search terms are linked with a logical “AND” (Search for phrases is not implemented).