Art FAQ  Tags: marquand art architecture archaeology library_faq  

Search the Grove Dictionary of Art (online: Oxford Art Online), or do a subject search in the catalog. The latter takes practice, but can be very powerful – be as specific as possible. Library of Congress Subject Headings (used in the catalog), involve a string of terms and are “left-anchored,” so you can browse a particular topic by doing a search, and then examining all its subheadings, e.g. Photography or Archaeology (numerous sub-headings, by time period, by region, by theme). Subject Headings can be people, media (painting, sculpture), themes (Cubism), countries, specific artists (last name, first name), etc. Use the guides in the catalog to help you. For example, if you search for Archaeology as a Subject, click on the "Note" icon for more information about this subject, along with related terms. If you try “Chinese Bronzes” as a subject, you will get no results, but a "More Info" box will appear. Click on this, and it will tell you to use “Bronzes, Chinese” instead.

Also, good overviews on various art historical movements, types of art, and specific artists can be found in the World of Art series. In the library catalog, select Guided Search at the top, type in World of Art as a phrase and select Series Title on the right-hand side. Sort the results by title (at the top left). Can do the same thing with the series Pelican History of Art, Oxford History of Art, Dictionaries of Civilization, etc..