This article describes some major developments in the European Art Community based on electronic imaging. Text and image databases have been used extensively as a managing tool although the uncoordinated efforts have resulted in incompatible data formats among institutions. Two collaborative research projects are described. NARCISSE involves the creation of an archive of digital images and the publication of a CD-type product for the professional market. VASARI is a project studying the technical aspects of capturing and processing high-resolution colorimetric images. One objective is the construction of a scanner that will capture the digital image directly from the work of art. Analytical uses for imaging are described and may involve extracting crack networks from paintings, examining underpaintings or evaluating color changes. The inhibiting factor in image capture and display thus far is the enormous amount of storage space required and the prohibitive cost of a practical system. Improvements are expected. The analog laser videodisc is used for interactive public access systems and CD-ROM type formats can be mass-marketed. The author predicts that by the year 2000 every major museum will have portable, interactive audio-visual aids for rental by visitors.