Return to Answer

First, the image has to be in local storage. Bring its native binary data using BinaryReadList. Also, use "Character8" and StringJoin so that it will turn into the string of binary data.

jpeg = StringJoin@@BinaryReadList["hs-2006-01-a-1920x1200_wallpaper.jpg", "Character8"]; 

(Note: Szabolcs provided a nice solution using Import. Thank you)

We can read the file's native binary data by caling Import[..., "String"].

jpeg = Import[url, "String"]; 

jpeg = StringJoin@@BinaryReadList["hs-2006-01-a-1920x1200_wallpaper.jpg", "Character8"]; 

First, the image has to be in local storage. Bring its native binary data using BinaryReadList. Also, use "Character8" and StringJoin` so that it will turn into the string of binary data.

First, the image has to be in local storage. Bring its native binary data using BinaryReadList. Also, use "Character8" and StringJoin so that it will turn into the string of binary data.

The extra option (SingleEvaluation) and Refresh are used to make sure that it is evaluated just once. Also, With is needed ensure that the embedded cell contains the content of base64, instead of a symbol base64. This can play nicely with other cells, such as texts and other graphics, using Row or other constructions.

The extra option (SingleEvaluation) and Refresh are used to make sure that it is evaluated just once. Also, With is needed to ensure that the embedded cell contains the content of base64, instead of a symbol base64. This can play nicely with other cells, such as texts and other graphics, using Row or other constructions.