Art Research Guide

This online guide is developed specifically for those doing research in Art. It provides a recommended list of resources which encompasses print materials, electronic databases, and selected Web resources.

For more extensive research help, contact Kay Wildman at 696-2509.

Basic Art Resources

Encyclopedias

Grove Dictionary of art (34 vol.) - Ref. N31.D5 1996
Encyclopedia of World Art - Ref. N31.E533 - comprehensive resource that includes bibliographies and color images
Encyclopedia of the arts - Ref.N31.E54
McGraw Hill Dictionary of Art - Ref. N33.M23 (5 vols.) - provides basic, concise information on artists, movements, styles, and other art-related information
Book of Art: a pictorial encyclopedia of painting, drawing and sculpture - N31.B6 (10 vols.)(Morrow Stacks)
Dictionary of Subjects and Symbols in Art - Ref. N7560.H34 1974b
Thames and Hudson Dictionary of Art Terms - Ref. N33.L75 1984
Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques - Ref. N33.M36
From Abacus to Zeus - N33.P5 - defines processes, symbols, gods, and other art-related terms. (Morrow Stacks)
Arts in America - Ref. NX503.A1 A77 (4 vols.) - bibliography of works in all aspects of American art: design, painting and graphic arts, photography, visual arts, etc.
Visual Dictionary of Art - Ref. N33.V56 1974
Artcyclopedia - Created and maintained by a Canada-based IT professional, the site offers an index of images from over 2,100 links to an estimated 180,000 works by over 8,200 artists.
Artlex Art Dictionary - Online source containing 3,200+ terms used in visual culture

Biographical sources

Index to Artistic Biography - Ref. N40.H38 - Entries provide dates, nationality, and reference to other resources
Contemporary Artists - Ref. N6490.C6567 - Includes bibliographical as well as biographical information
Dictionary of Contemporary American Artists - Ref. N6512.C854 1994
Artcyclopedia - Online resource which indexes major artists with brief biographical sketches and links to artists' works
Early Art and Artists in West Virginia - 759.154.C988e (Special Collections - Morrow Library)
Biographical dictionary of Women Artists in Europe and America Since 1850 - Ref. N6757.D86 1990
the-artists.info - website containing major 20th century and contemporary visual artists
AskArt- Site for general information on American artists, some of whom are not often listed in other sources. Also provides links to museums, dealers, and professional associations as well as dealer artwork for sale.
Who Was Who in American Art - Ref.N6512.F26 1985
North American Women Artists of the Twentieth Century - Ref. N6503.N67 1995
Britannica Encyclopedia of American Art - Ref. N6505.B73
International Who's Who in Art and Antiques - Ref. N40.I57
Oxford Companion to Twentieth Century Art - Ref. N6490.O95
Who's Who in American Art - Ref. N6536.W5
Who's Who in Art - Ref. N6768.W6
Who's Who in Graphic Art - Ref. NC45.w5
World Artists: 1950-1980 - Ref. N6439.M37 1984
World Artists: 1980-1990 - Ref. N6489.W67 1991

Bibliographies

Applied and Decorative Arts: a Bibliographic Guide - Ref. NK1110.E57
Fine Arts: A Bibliographic Guide to Basic Reference Works, Histories and Handbooks - Ref. N5300.E57 1990
Anderson, Janet. Women in the Fine Arts: A Bibliography and Illustration Guide - Ref. N8354.A52
Arntzen, Etta & Robert Rainwater. Guide to the Literature of Art History - Ref. Z5931.A67
Bell, Doris L. Contemporary Art Trends 1960-1980: A Guide to Sources - Ref. N6490.B44
Igoe, Lynn Moody. 250 Years of Afro-American Art: An Annotated Bibliography - Ref. N6538.N5 I46

General Art Resources

Jones, Lois Swan. Art Information and the Internet: How to Find It, How to Use It - Ref. N59.J66 1999
BUBL Link - Comprehensive site of links to catalog of internet resources for the arts. Uses the Dewey Decimal classification for its organizational structure which covers various categories within art, music and theatre. Once at the site, choose "700 Arts."
Timeline of Art History (Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY) - presents a chronological, geographical and thematic exploration of art through 1600 A.D.
Voice of the Shuttle: Art (UCSB) - provides extensive links to artist biographies, works of art, museums worldwide, art organizations, and career-oriented sites for the professional artist
Art on the Web (Boston Collage) - provides 1200+ links on art and architecture. Includes arts events and citation style guides
West Virginia Arts Websites (WV Division of Culture and History)
Mother of All Art and Art History Links (UM School of Art & Design) - links to art history departments, research resources, image collections, exhibits, art museums, and textual and linguistic resources
Art history resources on the web - Extensive links to all types of art from every chronological age, including museums and galleries. Maintained by Christopher Witcombe at Sweet Briar College, Virginia.

[ Top of Page ]

Journal & Magazine Articles

Periodical Indexes available at Marshall University

Journals Search - Provides a list of journals available in print at Marshall as well as access to full-text articles in databases to which Marshall University subscribes.
Art Index - Ongoing index for art periodicals since 1929 (Ref. Z5937.A78)
First Search Delivers online reference information through a collection of databases with links to online full text, electronic journals, web resources, library holdings and document delivery. Online Source for Arts & Humanities Search.
EBSCO Host Academic Search
JSTOR
Project Muse
Three general subject databases which include art topics, but much less coverage than the ones listed above.

Selected online Art journals (WWW)

Artdaily - An online art newspaper.
ArtSource: art journals online - An annotated list of online art journals.
Periodicals and E-zines - Extensive list of links to online journals of art.
Invisible culture - An electronic journal for visual culture.
Journal of Contemporary Art - Includes information on recent artists and provides links to interviews with selected artists as well as other sites.
Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism - Publishes current research articles, symposia, special issues and timely book reviews on aesthetics and the arts.
Metropolis Magazine - Examines contemporary life through design: architecture, interior design, graphic design, crafts, planning and preservation.
CAA Reviews (College Art Association) - An online publication devoted to peer review of new books, exhibitions, and projects in art and art history.
Fineart Forum - Online network news service linking art, science and technology.
Nineteenth-century art worldwide � Free journal of 19th-century visual culture.

[ Top of Page ]

Museums

To find books and materials in the Marshall University Libraries on Museums, click on MILES, the online library catalog, and select the Subject tab. Enter any of the following terms to find materials on museums:

In addition, the Keyword Search option and be used. Select "Art" as your first term plus any of the following terms: "Museums," "Galleries," or "Exhibitions" to find items on museums. To browse in the stacks, the call number beginning with "AM" will provide information on museums, collectors, and collecting.

Some useful online resources for this topic (including specific museum sites) are:

Art Galleries of the world - Extensive list of links to specific museums around the world.
Museum lists - Online links to virtual museum exhibits and related information.
ArtSource Museums - An annotated list and links to primarily American sites.
Metropolitan Museum of Art - New York site
National Gallery of Art - Washington, D.C.
Museum of Modern Art - New York
Guggenheim Museum - New York
Louvre Museum - Paris, France
British Museum - London, England
National Museum of Women in the Arts - Well-organized with substantial content that brings recognition to women artists of all periods and nationalities.
Web Gallery of Art - Includes more than 8500 paintings and sculptures from 1150 - 1800.
Smithsonian Museums - Washington, D.C.
National Portrait Gallery - London, England.
Collections Online - Over 46,000 art works of prints & drawings, costume & textiles, decorative arts, and photography of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Searchable by browsing, by category, or by specific artist and/or work.
National Museum of American Illustration - Award-winning site of American illustrators' works, including Wyeth, Gibson, Rockwell, etc., all of which provide a visual history of American culture from approximately 1890-1950.
Huntington Museum of Art - Huntington, WV
Birke Art Gallery - Marshall University, Huntington, WV

[ Top of Page ]

Image Databases

ARTstor - Digital reproductions ranging from prehistoric to modern art, including architecture, painting, sculpture, photography, decorative arts and design, as well as other forms of visual culture. ARTstor (On-Campus) or ARTstor (Off-Campus - Remote Access)
BUBL image links - Comprehensive site with numerous links to image collections.
Image databases on the net (Berkeley) - Thorough website on all things image databases.
Art archive - Links to artists' works grouped by period and style.
Art images for college teaching - Produced by Allan Kohl from the Minneapolis College of Art & Design, allows for browsing by chronology for western art with a separate category for non-western.
Google image finder - A search engine indexing over 330 million images freely available on the web.
AltaVista image finder - Comprehensive search engine with an advanced feature allowing one to limit to photo, graphic, or button/banner. One can also designate color or black and white.
Art Museum Image Collection - Public version of the larger consortial database of images culled from major art collections in museums and universities.
Finding images on the web - Maintained by Boston University Libraries, this site includes topics such as search engines, image copyright, archives, collections and imagebases
Visual arts data service - Allows searching of over fifteen digital image project simultaneously and browsing by major subject area.
World art treasures - Browsable and searchable image bank culled from the over 100,000 slides in the Jacques-Edouard Berger Foundation.

[ Top of Page ]

Professional Organizations

Art Libraries Society of North America - Provides resources and services for the worldwide arts information community.
College Art Association - Members comprise those who by vocation or avocation are concerned about and/or committed to the practice of art, teaching, and research of and about the visual arts and humanities.
National Endowment for the Arts - Federal agency for support of the arts through grants and funding.
ArtsUSA - Site of the American Council for the Arts (ACA). Provides advocacy information, discussion groups, and arts education information. Additionally, it includes the National Arts Policy Clearinghouse with more than 4,000 arts policy documents.
Association for Art History - Professional organization dedicated to the study of the history of art.
J. Paul Getty Trust - Provides access to the Getty Conservation Institute, Getty Information Institute (formerly the Art History Information Program), the Getty Education Institute for the Arts, and the Getty Research Institute for the History of Art and the Humanities. <<li>Visual Resources Association - International organization of image media professionals.
American Association of Museums - Information and resources about museums.
ArtSource: Arts related organizations - Links to numerous sites, many of them specialized.

[ Top of Page ]

Art Education

To find books and materials in the Marshall University Libraries on art education in MILES, the online library catalog, click on any of the headings below:

To browse in the stacks in either the Drinko Library or Morrow Library, the call numbers N81 to N390 can be used as a guide to locating materials on art education.

Some useful online resources for art education are:

ArtsEdNet - A division of the Getty Foundation, provides classroom resources, lesson plans and curriculum guides, a chat room, and a search box for specific topics.
Marshall University Art Department - View information about degree program, faculty, galleries, and news and events.
Arts programs : Universities - Provides links to selected universities with degrees in art.
ArtsConnectEd - Page of the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts which includes classroom and creative ideas.
Art Studio Chalkboard - Page provided by University of Evansville Art Department providing information for artists and students on painting and drawing.
Art Teacher Connection - Website designed for the visual arts teacher, encouraging technology innovation in art education.
VSA arts - International organization that creates learning opportunities through the arts for people with disabilities.

[ Top of Page ]

Graphic Design

To find books and materials in the Marshall University Libraries on graphic design in MILES, the online library catalog, click on any of the headings below:

Some useful online resources for this topic are:

American Institute of Graphic Arts - Professional organization for graphic designers.
Web Design Schools Guide - Provides links to schools that offer programs in web design.
Icograda - International Council of Graphic Design Associations.
DMOZ - Open directory project providing many links for all aspects of graphic design.
Google directory to graphic design - Many links categorized by genre as well as a listing of websites in Google page rank order.
Graphic Artists Guild - National union of illustrators, designers, web creators, production artists, surface designers and other creatives.
Graphic Design Guide - Contains many categories, including design basics, web design tips, finding a job, tutorials, articles, and forums.
Communication arts - Website of the world's largest paper magazine on creativity for graphic designers, art directors, copywriters, photographers, illustrators, and multimedia designers.

[ Top of Page ]

Ceramics/Textiles

Ceramics

To find books and materials in the Marshall University Libraries on ceramics in MILES, the online library catalog, click on any of the headings below:

To browse in the stacks in either Drinko or Morrow Library for information on ceramics, the following classification numbers can be used as a guide:

NK3700 to NK4695
TP789 to TP869

The following Reference books (located in Drinko Library) are useful resources for ceramics:

Boger, Louise Ade. Dictionary of antiques and the decorative arts: a book of reference for glass, furniture, ceramics, silver, periods, styles, technical terms, etc. Ref. NK30.B57 1967
Savage, George. Illustrated dictionary of ceramics. Ref. NK3770.S38 1974b

In addition, some websites of interest are:

National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts - Professional organization for ceramic arts.
Ceramics Monthly - Companion site to the print version, and includes a searchable index of feature articles going back to 1953.
Archie Bray Foundation - Nonprofit, educational institution dedicated to the enrichment of the ceramic arts, offering residencies and specialized workshops to ceramic artists from around the world.
Ceramics Today - Extensive resource on ceramics and pottery, including the web's largest up-to-date links database. Also contains a gallery of ceramic artists’ work and biographical profiles as well as contemporary and historical articles. Maintained by Steven Goldate, editor of Ceramics Today.
Virtual ceramics exhibit - Exhibition of contemporary ceramics with statements by the organizers, jurors and artists, utilizing the internet as the gallery space.
Studio Potter - Nonprofit organization dedicated to the service of the international community of ceramic artists and craftspeople.
Ceramicsculpture - Award winning website of personal galleries of today's leading ceramic sculptors.

Textiles

To find books and materials in the Marshall University Libraries on textiles in MILES, the online library catalog, click on any of the headings below:

To browse in the stacks in either Drinko or Morrow Library for information on textiles, the following classification numbers can be used as a guide:

NK8800 to NK9505.5
TS1300 to TS1865

The following Reference books (located in Drinko Library) are useful resources for ceramics:

Encyclopedia of textiles, 3rd ed. Ref. TS1445.A18 1980
Fairchild's dictionary of textiles. Ref. TS1309.F34 1996
Hardingham, Martin. The fabric catalog. Ref. TS1309.H24
Linton, Geroge Edward. The modern textile and apparel dictionary. Ref. TS1309.L743 1973

In addition, some websites of interest are:

The Weaving Art Museum - Website of the Weaving Art Museum and Research Institute (WAMRI); established to promote increased appreciation for the historic weaving arts of the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Textile Museum - Housed in Washington, D.C., the Textile Museum is dedicated to furthering the understanding of mankind's creative achievements in the textile arts. Provides collections, a library, publications and educational programs.
Fibrearts Online - Website which includes all aspects of weaving and spinning, including links to associations and guilds, educational resources, techniques, and cybergalleries and studios.
Mid Atlantic Fiber Association (MAFA) - Nonprofit organization representing eight states (including West Virginia) whose objectives are to promote education in the fiber arts, to plan, organize and conduct conferences, and to facilitate communication among member guilds.
Medieval textiles - Study group of the Complex Weaver's Guild which provides information about textiles and textile production of the medieval period from 500-1500 AD.

[ Top of Page ]

Painting

To find books and materials in the Marshall University Libraries on painting in MILES, the online library catalog, click on any of the headings below:

In addition, books about an individual artist or painter may be searched under Subject by entering the last name first. Use the keyword option to find information on a particular genre. For example, use "painting" or "art" as the first term, then select a term such as "neoclassicism" and enter it in the second box; then press "search" to find books on that particular topic.

Books in either Drinko or Morrow Library will be found in the classification "ND." The following ranges can be used as a guide for specific information on painting:

ND25 to ND48 - General information
ND49 to ND813 - Art History
ND1115 to ND1120 - Study and teaching of Art
ND1288 to ND1460 - Special subjects, i.e., Portraits, Landscape painting, etc.
ND1470 to ND1625 - Technique and materials
ND1630 to ND1662 - Conservation
ND1700 to ND2495 - Watercolor painting
ND2550 to ND2733 - Mural painting
ND2889 to ND3416 - Illuminating of manuscripts and books

The following Reference books (located in Drinko Library) are useful resources on painting:

Arts in America, a bibliography. Ref. NX503.A1 A77
Havlice, Patricia Pate. World painting index (2 vol. + Supp.) Ref. ND45.H38
Macfall, Haldane. A history of painting. Ref. ND50.M187
Dictionary of modern painting. Ref. ND30.D515 1964
Simon, Robin. The portrait in Britain and America: with a biographical dictionary of portrait painters 1680-1914. Ref. ND1314.S46 1987
Weisberg, Yvonne M.L. The realist debate, a bibliography of French realist painting, 1830-1885. Ref. ND547.5.R4 W44
Seuphor, Michael. A dictionary of abstract painting. Ref. ND35.B4
Bryan, Michael. Bryan's dictionary of painters and engravers. Ref. N40.B94

In addition, some websites of interest are:

Paintingspot - Provides links to art commerce, museums, painting projects, supply sites as well as recent news and timely articles about painting.
Art history resources on the web - Links grouped by time periods as well as geographically.
World wide arts resources: Painting - Provides specialized information pertaining to visual artists, including links to artistic medium, subject matter, and art history information.
Famous artworks exhibition - Provides links to images grouped by periods of art as well as links to specific artists and a glossary of terms.

[ Top of Page ]

Photography

To find books and materials in the Marshall University Libraries on photography in MILES, the online library catalog, click on any of the headings below:

Books in either Drinko or Morrow Library will be found in the classification "TR." The following ranges can be used as a guide for specific information on painting:

TR250 to TR265 - Cameras
TR287 to TR500 - Photographic processing and darkroom technique
TR504 to TR 508 - Transparencies and diapositives
TR510 to TR545 - Color photography
TR550 to TR581 - Studio and laboratory
TR590 to TR620 - Lighting
TR624 to TR835 - Applied photography, including artistic, commercial, and medical photography processes
TR845 to TR899 - Cinematography and motion pictures
TR925 to TR1050 - Photomechanical processes

The following Reference books (located in Drinko Library) are useful resources on photography:

The Focal encyclopedia of photography. TR9.F6 1960
The International Center of Photography encyclopedia of photography. TR9.I24 1984
Contemporary photographers. TR139.C66 1982
Contemporary photographers. TR139.C664 1995
Willis-Thomas, Deborah. Black photographers, 1840-1940. TR139.W55 1985
Willis-Thomas, Deborah. Illustrated bio-bibliography of Black photographers, 1940-1988. Ref. TR139.W55 1989

In addition, some websites of interest are:

ArtLex on photography - Website providing images of photographs grouped chronologically as well as links to other sites.
Glossary of photographic terms - Provides definitions of terms used in photography.
Art support - Website providing portfolio guidelines and information about where to exhibit art, plus links and resources to help launch an art career in photography.
Photographic Resource Center - A nonprofit organization located in Boston, it facilitates the study and dissemination of information relating to photography. Also includes resources for photographers as well as providing links to galleries, periodicals, festivals, associations and schools.
New York Institute of Photography - Provides photo tips of the month, information on digital photography, techniques, etc . The site's one major objective is to help you take better pictures.
George Eastman House - International Museum of Photography and Film, including exhibitions, photography, motion picture, and technology collections.
FreeStockPhotos - Organized by topic, provides free photography for personal or commercial use as well as providing links to U.S. Government public domain and other photography websites.
Prints and photography - Maintained by Chris Witcombe at Sweet Briar College, VA, this site provides extensive links to collections of photography and individual artists as well as other resources.
American Museum of Photography - A virtual museum of exhibits as well as information on early photographic processes, preservation information and links to other websites.
Prints & photographs reading room (Library of Congress) - Online access to prints & photographs, plus guides, reference aids and exhibits.
Masters of photography - In addition to finding information about individual photographers, the site provides articles, photograph images, and resources to more information.

[ Top of Page ]

Sculpture

To find books and materials in the Marshall University Libraries on sculpture in MILES, the online library catalog, click on any of the headings below:

Books in either Drinko or Morrow Library will be found in the classification "NB." The following ranges can be used as a guide for specific information on sculpture:

NB1 to NB50 - General
NB60 to NB1115 - History, including collective biography
NB1120 to NB1133 - Study and teaching
NB1134 to NB1134.4 - Competitions
NB1135 to NB1150 - General works
NB1160 to NB1195 - Designs and technique
NB1199 to NB1200 - Restoration of sculptures
NB1203 to NB1270 - Special materials
NB1272 to NB1291 - Mobiles, color, sculpture gardens, etc.
NB1293 to NB1310 - Portrait sculpture
NB1312 to NB1313 - Equestrian statues
NB1330 to NB1685 - Sculptural monuments
NB1750 to NB1793 - Religious monuments and shrines
NB1800 to NB1880 - Sepulchral monuments
NB1910 to NB1952 - Special subjects

The following Reference books (located in Drinko Library) are useful resources on photography:

Clapp, Jane. Sculpture index. Ref. NB36.C55
Gunnis, Rupert. Dictionary of British sculptors, 1660-1851. Ref. NB496.G85 1954
Watson-Jones, Virginia. Contemporary American women sculptors. Ref. NB212.W37 1986
Munro, Eleanor C. Golden encyclopedia of art; painting, sculpture, architecture, and ornament, from prehistoric times to the 20th c. Ref. N5300.M865

In addition, some websites of interest are:

Sculptor.Org - Comprehensive website for sculptors, providing resources for materials, tools and markets, and promotes standards for sculptors as well as encourage efforts to document and protect public sculpture.
Italian sculpture - Categorized by chronological period, provides images of Italian art as well as an author and locality index.
ArtLex on sculpture - Website which provides terms, examples of sculpture grouped by chronological period, and related links.
The Sculpture Center - Located in Cleveland, OH, this website exhibits emerging sculptors' work and promotes sculpture conservation and education.
National Sculpture Society - Nonprofit organization of professional U.S. sculptors. Promotes excellence in figurative and realist sculpture as well as providing links to equipment & materials, foundries, organizations, schools & classes, and services such as resources for mold making, clay firing, patination, etc.
Sculpture Magazine - Publication of the International Sculpture Center, this site summarizes contents of issues and allows access to selected articles without a subscription.

[ Top of Page ]

Printmaking

To find books and materials in the Marshall University Libraries on printmaking in MILES, the online library catalog, click on any of the headings below:

Books in either Drinko or Morrow Library will be found in the classification "NE." The following ranges can be used as a guide for specific information on printmaking:

NE1 to NE978 - Printmaking and engraving
NE1000 to NE1352 - Wood engraving
NE1400 to NE1879 - Metal engraving
NE1940 to NE2232.5 - Etching and aquatint
NE2236 to NE2240.6 - Serigraphy
NE2250 to NE2570 - Lithography
NE2685 to NE2685.8 - Lumiprints
NE2690 - Engraving on glass
NE2800 to NE2880 - Printing of engravings
NE3000 to NE3002 - Copy art and copying machine art

The following Reference books (located in Drinko Library) are useful resources on photography:

Bryan, Michael. Bryan's dictionary of painters and engravers. Ref. N40.B94
Bartran, Margaret. Guide to color reproductions. Ref. NE1850.B3
Mason, Lauris. Old master print references. Ref. Z5947.3.E85 M37 1986
New York Graphic Society. Fine art reproductions, old and modern masters. Ref. NE1860.N4 A32
Unesco. Catalogue of colour reproductions of paintings prior to 1860. Ref. NE1860.A2 U5

In addition, some websites of interest are:

Prints and photography - Maintained by Chris Witcombe at Sweet Briar College, VA, this site provides extensive links to print collections and individual artists as well as other resources.
Image maps of printmaking techniques - Provides links to various techniques which then describe what to look for in identifying that process.
Glossary of printmaking terms - Descriptions of types and techniques of print media.
Color printing in the 19th century - Maintained by the University of Delaware, this site provides information about color printing as well as linking to intaglio processes, relief processes, lithography and nature printing.

[ Top of Page ]

Prepared by Kay Wildman, Music Librarian

Page last modified August 16, 2007 by RET.