Researching Art Objects

Researching objects in a museum. Step-by-step.

Background Information

DID YOU FOLLOW STEP 1?

Before you try finding books and articles related to your object, first build your foundation of knowledge about your artist and the style/period associated with your art object.

Grove Art Online [via Oxford Art Online]
- Access to five authoritative online art encyclopedia.
- Like an authoritative Wikipedia.
- Use for topic overview and to contextualize your object and/or artist.
- Search Options: artist's name, movement, style, medium, country.

Metropolitan Museum of Art (Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History)
- Authoritative website about the entire history of art.
- Includes images with descriptive information, essays, maps.
- Search by artist's last name or style/period of your work.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Authoritative website about artists and objects.
Rodin Museum
- One of the largest collections of works by Auguste Rodin in the world.
Other Museum Websites
- Are authoritative.
- Often have information about the artists and objects exhibited at the museum.

Example Object at PMA

Mont Sainte-Victoire

Made in France, 1902-4

Paul Cézanne, French, 1839 - 1906

Oil on canvas
28 3/4 x 36 3/16 inches (73 x 91.9 cm)

E1936-1-1 The George W. Elkins Collection, 1936

Last Updated: Nov 12, 2024 12:13 PM
URL: https://guides.temple.edu/artresearch
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Subjects: Art, Art History

Tags: art history, arts, artwork, tyler school of art, visual art

Researching Art Objects

Background Information

DID YOU FOLLOW STEP 1?

Example Object at PMA

Temple University

University Libraries