Art History: Overview

This guide is designed to steer Art History students to specific resources. If you are conducting research in a different concentration, the Library offers other guides that may be more appropriate. Library staff are available to meet with you one-on-one for additional assistance.

Reference Sources (Encyclopedias, Dictionaries):

• Basic overview of subject 
• Quick lookup of factual information
• Recommendations for more in-depth information  

Books: 

• In-depth research 
• Analysis of an issue's context
• Historical information  

Articles:

• Narrowly focused analysis
• Detailed findings from individual studies
• Current information on a topic

Images and Videos:

• Visual learning option
• Technology instruction
• Curated image collections provide high-quality images for research

Material Samples:

• Tactile interaction with textiles, metals, plastics, wood, glass, tiles, paper
• Company color swatches and color systems 

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Glossary of Terms - Whether you are looking for good subject terms for keyword searches or wish to upgrade your art vocabulary in general, this MoMA source is an excellent place to start.

The Getty Research Institute - The Getty Vocabularies contain structured terminology for art, architecture, decorative arts, archival materials, visual surrogates, conservation, and bibliographic materials to help you in your research.