diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/image.py b/lib/matplotlib/image.py
index 6401b64dc248..0401fd6734c8 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/image.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/image.py
@@ -275,8 +275,8 @@ def __init__(self, ax,
 
     def __str__(self):
         try:
-            size = self.get_size()
-            return f"{type(self).__name__}(size={size!r})"
+            shape = self.get_shape()
+            return f"{type(self).__name__}(shape={shape!r})"
         except RuntimeError:
             return type(self).__name__
 
@@ -291,6 +291,15 @@ def get_size(self):
 
         return self._A.shape[:2]
 
+    def get_shape(self):
+        """Return the shape of the image as
+        tuple (numrows, numcols, channels).
+        """
+        if self._A is None:
+            raise RuntimeError('You must first set the image array')
+
+        return self._A.shape
+
     def set_alpha(self, alpha):
         """
         Set the alpha value used for blending - not supported on all backends.