JSTOR uses the descriptions of the images from the institutions that provided them. The depth of indexing of the images can vary.
Many fields that appear in the description of the image are searchable. For example, you can search linen, labeled as "medium," as a keyword, which will retrieve objects made of linen. However, the search can also retrieve objects such as a linen press, which is not made of linen but has the term in the title.
When you search JSTOR, you may choose to search only images (via the Images tab) or text and images (via the All Content tab).
You may perform a basic (default) or advanced search. The default search is broader. An advanced search allows you to search one or more of eight specific fields. It also provides the option of applying specific filters.
Search terms can be joined by the standard Boolean operators AND, OR, NOT. The operators can be used in both basic and advanced searches. They must be typed in capital letters.
JSTOR offers searching with wildcards, by truncation, and by proximity. You can also search by variant spellings.
You have the option of restricting a search by "Access Type"—i.e., by all material under the aegis of JSTOR or more specifically the material that you can access at the University of Arkansas.