Art and Architecture Collection > Art History: A Research Guide

Research Strategies

Art historical research tends to follow a set of specific directions depending on the nature of the information sought. Users may work on an individual artist, or a group of artists with common goals, and then find various works about these artists subdivided in the Library’s online catalog by the category of publication about them. When searching, it is important to know the correct spelling of the artists’ last name and/or possible variations, and at least the first initial of that person’s first name. Biographical dictionaries can be consulted to obtain this information.

Research is often done on specific works of art with interest in uncovering the provenance, or history of ownership, of that work. Reference tools can aid in this discovery, especially of an artist has had a catalogue raisonné written about his works. This tool is the authoritative published research document of an artist’s works, prepared by an expert or experts on the subject. Another research angle related to artists is tracking their exhibition history. Reference compilations exist for important museums and cultural institutions that record their exhibitions and list the artists who participated in those exhibitions.

Art movements and stylistic periods are also subject to art historical research. The study of signs, symbols, and meanings behind subject matter, known as iconography, is another important category for art historical investigation.

For further steps on art research methodology, consult the guides How to Research an Architectural Structure. The staff at the reference desk in Room 300 can also assist users in constructing a research strategy. Personal consultations are available for those individuals who have an art research project requiring extensive use of the department’s materials