Library Services

How to Identify Art

There are many books that give general information on the history of art and descriptions of the different styles.  The materials are found in the 700 through 709 section, located on the 4th floor and on the 2nd floor in the reference area.  By searching the Online Catalog you will find material on specific time periods, geographical regions, styles and people.

• Example: Search by Subject = "Art, Renaissance"
  "Art, Japan"
  "Degas, Edgar"
  "Michelangelo"

Biographies:

• A Biographical index to California and western artists R709.22 K84
• California artists, 1935 to 1956 Rq709.794 M122
• Contemporary artists R709.22 C761
• The Illustrated biographical encyclopedia of artists of the American west R709.22 S193
• Who's who in American art R709.928 W628

Dictionaries and Encyclopedias:

• Dictionary of art R703 D554
• Encyclopedia of world art Rq703 E56
• McGraw-Hill dictionary of art Rq703 M147

Introductions:

• Gardner's art through the ages 709 G227
• A World history of art: painting, sculpture, architecture, decorative arts 709 P676

Indexes located on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Central Library in the reference area can be used to find books and articles in journals and magazines that contain art reproductions.  Each book lists the works indexed.  Generally, the title of the artwork will be followed by a code that identifies the source containing the reproduction. Click on the title for the cited work to obtain the location.

Indexes:

• The Classified directory of artist's signatures, symbols and monograms R760 C244
• Index to reproductions of American paintings appearing in over 400 books mostly published since 1960 759.13 S654
• Index to two-dimensional art works  R700.16 K85

Internet:

• The American Museum of Photography (http://www.photographymuseum.com/)
• Art History Resources on the Web (http://witcombe.sbc.edu/ARTHLinks.html)
• Mother of all Art and Art History Links Page
  http://www.art-design.umich.edu/mother
• The National Portrait Gallery (http://www.npg.si.edu/index.htm)
• Timeline of Art History
  http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/splash.htm

Magazines:

Art index INDEX R050 A784, and Readers' guide to periodical literature R050 R281, are paper indexes to magazines articles. EBSCO is a periodical database.

• American artist
• Art in America
• Artist
• Art journal
• ARTnews

Pricing guides:

• Art sales index R700.75 A615
• Auction prices of American artists R709.730294 A898
• Christie's Review of the season R706.5 C555
• International auction records R700.29 I61
• Gordon's print price annual R760.075 G665
• Sotheby's Art at auction 708.2 A784

Reproductions & Catalogs:

• Catalogue of Collections / E.B. Crocker Art Gallery
  R708.19454 E11c2 1964
• Fine art reproductions of old & modern masters: a comprehensive illustrated catalog of art through the ages f759 N532
• National Gallery of Art, Washington R708.153 N277zw

The preceding materials are not comprehensive and should be supplemented by consulting an expert. Local curators and experts in art are:

• Crocker Art Museum Appraisal Days
  216 O Street (3rd & O)
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  Phone:(916) 264-5423

For further help, ask at an Information Desk.

828 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 264-2920. Send comments to: contact@saclibrary.org
© 2003-2007 Sacramento Public Library. Last updated: February 5, 2008 .