Research Guides: Art and Art History: Reference Sources

Why Use Reference Sources?

Reference books are helpful starting places if you need:

An overview of topic, person, place, or event.
To browse for topic ideas.
Help with focusing or narrowing your topic.
A list of core resources for your topic. Many reference books provide a short bibliography and/or suggested scholarly readings. These readings usually represent the best scholarship for the topic at hand up to the time the reference work was published.

Historical Overviews and Timelines

To research the social and cultural context of the artwork and artist, use history reference materials to get a quick overview

Art Reference Sources

These general reference sources cover biographies, artistic movements and periods, and terminology.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms
A Dictionary of Modern and Contemporary Art
Dictionary of Women Artists -- Seymour Library Main Stacks N8354 .D53 1997
Encyclopedia of Aesthetics
The Oxford Dictionary of American Art & Artists
The Oxford Dictionary of Art

The following are just a few of the reference sources that cover specialized topics.

Encyclopedia of Latin American & Caribbean Art Main Stacks N6502.E53 1999
The Grove Encyclopedia of American Art
The Grove Encyclopedia of Classical Art and Architecture
The Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art and Architecture
The Oxford Companion to Western Art

Reference Sources for Modern/Contemporary Art

A Dictionary of Contemporary American Artists Main Stacks N6512 .C854 1994
A Dictionary of Modern and Contemporary Art
From Expressionism to Post-modernism: Styles and Movements in 20th-Century Western Art Main Stacks N6490 .G7243 2000
Interviews by Artists, Architects, and Designers Main Stacks NX456 .R59 1996
North American Women Artists of the 20th Century: A Biographical Dictionary Main Stacks N6503 .N67 1995
The Oxford Companion to Twentieth-Century Art Main Stacks N6490 .O94

Reference Books about Symbols and Iconography

The Oxford Guide to Classical Mythology in the Arts, 1300-1990s by Jane Davidson Reid; Chris Rohmann (As told to)
Call Number: Main Stacks NX650.M9 R45 1993
ISBN: 9780195049985
Pub Date: 1993
This is a topically classified chronology of more than 30,000 artworks from circa 1300 to the present day that take as their theme the subjects of Greek and Roman mythology. Artworks are listed in chronological order, delineating the history of artistic interest in the subject, including painting, sculpture, music, dance, opera, drama, and literature over the last seven centuries.
Old Testament Figures in Art by Chiara de Capoa; Stefano Zuffi (Editor); Thomas Michael Hartmann
Call Number: Main Stacks N8020.D4 2003
ISBN: 0892367458
Pub Date: 2004
Compiles entries on key figures and events in the Old Testament, beginning with the Pentateuch, then drawing from the historical books, the books of wisdom and poetry, and, finally, the prophetic books. The vivid illustrations depict Old Testament scenes that occur most frequently as iconographic prototypes in Western art. Among the masterpieces featured are The Entry of the Animals into Noah's Ark by Jan Brueghel the Elder, The Sacrifice of Isaac by Rembrandt, Samson and Delilah by Peter Paul Rubens, Jacob Wrestling with the Angel by Paul Gauguin, and Isaac Receiving Rebekah as His Wife by Marc Chagall. The accompanying texts illuminate the unique ways in which Old Testament subjects have been portrayed in Western art throughout the ages. To complement the many scriptural references, this handy volume also offers comparisons with other cultures whose stories or myths parallel those represented in the book.
Signs and Symbols in Christian Art by George Ferguson
ISBN: 9780195014327
Pub Date: 1966
First published in 1954 and having gone through several editions, this comprehensive book remains the authoritative source in the study of symbols in Christian art. This paperback edition includes all of the three hundred fifty illustrations from the original edition, as well as the complete and unabridged text, revealing . the symbolism inherent in representations of religious personages, the Earth and Sky, animals, birds, insects, and flowers. In addition to a discussion of objects treated symbolically in Christian art, George Ferguson explores Old Testament characters and events and their symbolic representation in art. In addition to a discussion of objects treated symbolically in Christian art, George Ferguson explores Old Testament characters and events and their symbolic representation in art.
Dictionary of Subjects and Symbols in Art
Call Number: Reference Room N7560.H34 1979b
"Entries pertain to persons, titles and pictures, and objects as attributes and symbols. Recurrent mythological, historical and religious themes are explored and allegorical, poetic, and saintly characters are also covered." ~Library Journal

Additional Online Art Sources

Aesthetics A-Z
"Covers the key concepts, arguments, problems and figures in aesthetics and the philosophy of art."
A Biographical Dictionary of Artists
"Covering over 1300 artists, this dictionary is made up of alphabetically arranged entries for painters (such as Monet), architects (such as Aalto), and sculptors (such as Brancusi) from pre-Christian times to the present (see, for example, Berlin painter, Hockney). The coverage of the book is truly global, with many Asian and African artists included. Each artist's entry includes dates, training, career, influences on his or her work, and, for approximately one-third of the artists, a bibliography of further reading."
Bloomsbury Guide to Art
"Provides a fascinating insight into the origins and significance of the work of Western artists and architects. It includes tightly-focused entries on: individual artists; art, architecture and design terminology; countries and their cultural significance; theoretical concepts; and mythological and religious subjects and symbols."
Critical Terms for Art History
"The essays that follow...elucidate and comment on twenty-two terms used in contemporary art history. They debate the issues raised by the terms, evaluate their general utility, and, for the most part, apply them to the interpretation of some work of art."
Encyclopedia of American Folk Art
"A-Z encyclopedia covers every aspect of American folk art, encompassing not only painting, but also sculpture, basketry, ceramics, quilts, furniture, toys, beadwork, and more, including both famous and lesser-known genres."
If the Paintings Could Talk
"Reveals the hidden histories of paintings in the National Gallery, London."
Thames & Hudson Dictionary of 20th Century Architecture
"Contains wide ranging and authoritative coverage of the whole spectrum of architecture and urban planning in the 20th century, and of leading architects and engineers the world over."
Thames & Hudson Dictionary of Art and Artists
"International and up-to-date, this copiously cross-referenced dictionary provides information on artists, paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, schools and movements, including essential information on contemporary art and artists, not available elsewhere, and on techniques, materials, terms, and writers who have influenced artists."
Thames & Hudson Dictionary of Art Terms
"Contains over 2000 authoritative entries. Covers painting, sculpture, architecture, photography, the decorative, applied and graphic arts from all periods throughout the world up to the present day."
Thames & Hudson Dictionary of British Art
"Covers British Art through every period from the Anglo-Saxons to the present day, and every significant medium, from painting, sculpture and printmaking to medieval goldsmiths' work and stained glass. Includes up to date information on hundreds of artists and in-depth coverage of general topics such as schools, concepts, techniques, institutions, patronage and art criticism."
Thames & Hudson Dictionary of Design Since 1900
"A comprehensive guide to international developments in graphic design."
Thames & Hudson Encyclopaedia of Impressionism
"Entries cover not only the lives and careers of the main participants - painters, critics, patrons, dealers and collectors, as well as writers and musicians - but also techniques, prices and localities, while a wealth of information on the cultural, social and political background helps to set Impressionism in context."