Architecture for comparing images by building an initial map from the average color and an inserted blackened area. Accordingly, a map can be built that is more information-rich and smaller, thereby making the system more efficient. The architecture employs a Kohonen neural network (or self-organizing map (SOM)) by guiding the learning of the SOM using characteristics of the images such as average color and a central area. A strong component of the average color of the image and the central area at the approximate center of the image are added to the uninitialized SOM, which allows related colors to converge toward the central area of the image. When input, the SOM organizes the color content of the image on a map, which can be used to compare the image with other images.