Zoom backgrounds from Special Collections

Posted on Apr 08, 2020, by Special Collections Research Center

The Special Collections Research Center is temporarily closed to help slow the spread of COVID19. Our staff continues to work remotely to help our patrons find the resources they need. If you have a question, you can contact us through this online form.

Like many of you, we meet virtually throughout the work week on Zoom. For a bit of fun in these difficult times we made some beautiful Zoom backgrounds from items in our collections.

Please download these free virtual backgrounds to display during your own Zoom meeting. Click on an image below to download and save to your desktop. Follow Zoom's online instructions on how to use these images as a background.

Medieval manuscript Zoom background

Zoom with a medieval manuscript. (Boccaccio, Giovanni "Genealogia Deorum Gentilium" Manuscript, Codex Ms 100.)
Spines of rare books

Zoom with a shelf of rare books
Administration building at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.

Zoom from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. (View of the Administration Building from the University of Chicago Photographic Archive, apf3-00071.)
Midway Plaisance of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition

Zoom from the Midway Plaisance of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. (View of the Ferris Wheel and the Chinese Theater from the University of Chicago Photographic Archive, apf3-00088.)
Ioannes Stradanus, also known as Jan Van der Straet (Flanders, 1523-1605), "Sculptura in Aes, The Engravers’ Shop," engraving, published by Philips Galle (1537-1612), from Nova Reperta, Antwerp. circa 1570. William and Marianne Salloch Collection of Prints and Drawings: “People with Books."

Zoom from a 16th-century engravers' shop. (Ioannes Stradanus, also known as Jan Van der Straet (Flanders, 1523-1605), "Sculptura in Aes, The Engravers’ Shop," engraving, published by Philips Galle (1537-1612), from Nova Reperta, Antwerp. circa 1570. William and Marianne Salloch Collection of Prints and Drawings: “People with Books.")

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