Fine Arts Library Bibliographic Guides:
Finding Basic Information in the Fine Arts Library
Listed below are suggestions on how and where to find basic information about the fine arts. These titles are only a sample of the many reference sources in the Indiana University Fine Arts Library. Many reference sources are on specific art forms and periods. Both the online catalog (IUCAT) and the card catalog are good places to start your search for more information on a topic.
IUCAT (the online catalog) AND THE CARD CATALOGIUCAT and the card catalog are the primary indexes to the Fine Arts Library's collections. The IUCAT database does not include all the books that were part of the Library's holdings before 1976; therefore, you should always check both IUCAT and the card catalog before assuming that a book is not in this Library. For help searching IUCAT see other library handouts or talk to a reference staff person. Books listed in the card catalog and in IUCAT are marked with a location code. All books without a location marking are on the second floor and mezzanine of the Library.
| CODE | LOCATION |
| Reference | lst Floor, Reading Room, Reference |
| Oversize | 2nd Floor, Oversize |
| Does Not Circulate | 2nd Floor and Mezzanine |
| Permanent Reserve | 1st Floor, Circulation Desk, Reserve |
| Special | Special Collection, ask at Circulation Desk |
| Closed Stacks | 2nd Floor and Mezzanine (obsolete stamp) |
PERIODICAL INDEXES
Information that appears in magazines is indexed in periodical
indexes. Only the titles of the periodicals appear in IUCAT and the card
catalog. Only periodical indexes list individual articles.
There is no one index to all periodical articles. Rather, each field of study has its own specialized subject indexes. Searching the title of a periodical in IUCAT will provide the periodical indexes that index articles from that particular journal.
SELECTED PERIODICAL INDEXESPaper copies are arranged by title in the Blue Reference section of the Library. Online versions are available via the Fine Arts Library home page and IU Libraries IUCAT/Databases page (see URLs listed below).
- Art Abstracts & Art Index Retrospective. Paper: 1929/32-Present Online: 1971-Present
- (FA Library http://www.indiana.edu/~libfinea/ or IUCAT/Databases http://www.indiana.edu/~libfind/)
- Indexes articles and book reviews from over 300 major art periodicals. Covers all aspects of art and architecture. Illustrations are indexed under artist name.
- ARTbibliographies Modern. Paper: 1969-Present Online: 1974-Present
- (FA Library http://www.indiana.edu/~libfinea/ or IUCAT/Databases http://www.indiana.edu/~libfind/)
- Indexes articles from about 250 current fine arts periodicals on all aspects of art and design since 1900. Before 1980, coverage included architecture and 19th century art.
This is only a selection of the many reference sources that can be found in the RED REFERENCE section Fine Arts Library. They contain basic information for starting research.
| N40 .A78 1986 |
ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES MASTER INDEX. Index to biographical information in reference works for more than 275,000 artists internationally, both living and dead. Quick and easy source for verifying spelling of an artists' name. |
| N6490 .C6567 1996 |
CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS. Entries on each artist have a brief biography, exhibition record, bibliography, and a short essay. Other titles in this series: Contemporary Architects, Contemporary Designers, Contemporary Masterworks. |
| N31 .D5 1996 |
DICTIONARY OF ART. Online (see URL’s below) or paper (34 volumes). (FA Library http://www.indiana.edu/~libfinea/ or http://www.indiana.edu/~libfind/) Encyclopedia covering all aspects of the visual arts. Mid-sized to lengthy entries on individual artists, media, movements, themes and countries are illustrated and include bibliographies. Published in 1996, it is a current and comprehensive scholarly resource and an excellent place to begin research on any aspect of the visual arts. |
| N7560 .H34 1979b |
DICTIONARY OF SUBJECTS AND SYMBOLS IN ART. Covers general subjects of artworks, especially Christian and classical themes from Western art. Good source for beginning research and for iconographical topics. |
| BF1623 .S9 C513 1971b |
DICTIONARY OF SYMBOLS. Short entry guide to the meaning of basic symbols used in the fine arts. Does not include narrative subjects. |
| N31 .E564 |
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF WORLD ART. 17 vols. Lengthy articles with bibliographies and illustrations treat all aspects of the visual arts. Survey entries on particular subjects, artists, or movements are a good place to begin research. |
| N34 .W34 1992b |
GLOSSARY OF ART, ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN SINCE
1945. Definitions of theoretical and conceptual notions in the art scene since 1945, e.g. "Minimal art," "Judd's Dictum," "Op." Brief bibliographies at the end of each entry. |
| N25 .E53 1983 |
HISTORY OF ART (v. 1). BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF ARTISTS (v. 2). Volume 1 contains brief illustrated articles on various periods and movements in art history withshort bibliographies. Volume 2 contains entries on artists with reproductions selected major works. |
| N33 .M147 |
MCGRAWHILL DICTIONARY OF ART. 5 vols. Short entries on artists, monuments, periods, styles, and terms. Bibliographies included. Special emphasis on primitive, Far East and Near Eastern art. Good source for quick explanations. |
| N33 .O98 |
OXFORD COMPANION TO ART. Introduction to the visual arts for the nonspecialist. Defines terms and concepts with a selected bibliography. |
| N31 PEL |
PELICAN HISTORY OF ART. (54 vols.) Each volume focuses on a selected period or culture and is written by a known art historian. Illustrates major artworks related to the topic and contains extensive bibliographies. |
Libweb | IUCAT |
URL:http://www.indiana.edu/~libfinea/handouts/basicinf.html
Comments: libart@indiana.edu
Copyright 1997, The Trustees of Indiana University