Background Information
Art history is a vast discipline - geographically, historically, and intellectually. How to keep up with, or identify, all of the core literature of this field? Getting started with 'background information', which really just means getting context through short articles that provide topical overviews on a vast topic. This is much easier than trying to read a scholarly monograph overnight, or even than reading a lengthy scholarly article which might feel overwhelming at first! Another tip is to save yourself time and look at published bibliographies which point you to all kinds of recommended books, articles, and resources on various topics. These resources are written and suggested by art historians globally, and experts is a great starting point as your knowledge deepens. While we all refer to Wikipedia for basic information, it's important to understand that these reputable resources have been peer-reviewed and gone through a more rigorous fact-checking and publishing process than Wikipedia.
Suggested Resources for Background Information & Discovering Key Resources:
Annotated Bibliographies: This is one of my favorite resources that I use often when I am trying to help students navigate a new topic and discover what books, articles, and journals are recommended! This is an online library resource that provides peer-reviewed annotated bibliographies on artists, movements, and other topics in the field of art and art history.
Topical Summaries/Biographies: A large gateway to art research online. It provides access to online art reference works called Grove Art Online and the Benezit Dictionary of Artists (which started in Paris in 1911 and is now maintained by Oxford University Press). It is an extensive publication of bibliographical information on painters, sculptures, engravers (150,000 biographies!) It also includes Grove Art Online (formerly the Grove Dictionary of Art) which is a comprehensive art encyclopedia which covers global art and architecture from prehistory to the present day.
Examples from Oxford Bibliographies - Art History:
Examples from Oxford Art Online:
Also check out the "Getting Started" page on the Art History LibGuide for encyclopedias such as the Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art & Architecture.
Jenna Dufour | She/her/hers | dufourj@uci.edu
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