Research Resources:
Subject Research Guides:
Art History:
Library Catalogs
This is a selective rather than comprehensive list of library catalogs with significant art
history holdings. Whenever possible, the url provided links directly to online catalog of the
library. Please note that some libraries have restricted access policies. Please visit the
website of the institution for information about access for visiting researchers, and contact
the institution in advance of your visit if necessary.
Mid-Atlantic Libraries with Significant Art History Holdings
Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution
The archives contain unique primary source material on American art and artists. The Archives is headquartered in Washington, D.C. but does have a New York City branch.
Columbia University
The Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library of Columbia University contains superior holdings in architectural history, and a extensive selection of periodicals.
Free Library of Philadelphia
The Free Library of Philadelphia contains important materials on early American architecture and Philadelphia artists.
Frick Art Reference Library
FRESCO, the Frick Research Catalog Online, contains the library's significant holdings. A separate search is required for the Frick Art Reference Library's extensive holdings of auction catalogs.
The Library of Congress
The Library of Congress contains a range of books and other materials related to world art. Please note that Prints and Photographs are catalogued separately.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
WATSONLINE is the catalogue of the Thomas J. Watson Library of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Watson library contains superb holdings of books on all areas of art history.
Museum of Modern Art
The Museum Library of the Museum of Modern Art contains important holdings on modernism as well as critical vertical files on artists of the modern period. All library materials are catalogued in Dadabase.
New York Public Library
CATNYP is the Research Libraries Online Catalog. Searching CATNYP searches across all of the research divisions of the New York Public Library, including the Art and Architecture Division. CATNYP includes catalogued materials in multiple formats and languages.
New York University
The Stephen Chan Library of Fine Arts of the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University, contains superb holdings in all areas of art history, notably Italian Renaissance and Baroque art. The Chan Library's holdings are contained within Bobcat, the catalog of the New York University Libraries.
Pierpont Morgan Library
Corsair is the online catalog of the Pierpont Morgan Library.
National Library Collections
Bibliothèque Nationale de France
Under "Rechercher," click on "BN-OPALE PLUS" for the online catalog of the Bibliothèque Nationale, containing holdings for both Richelieu (the older branch of the BNF) and Tolbiac (the newly constructed branch).
British Library
Billed as access to the "world's knowledge," the catalogue of the British Library covers many of the Library's division and includes over 12 million records.
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress contains a range of books and other materials related to world art.
Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale, Firenze
Choose "OPAC della BNCF" for the online catalog of the Florence branch of Italy's national library. An English-language interface is available.
Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale, Roma
Choose CATALOGHI for the online catalog of the Rome branch of Italy's national library.
Selected Museum Library Catalogs
Art Institute of Chicago, Ryerson and Burnham Library
The Ryerson and Burham Library of the Art Institute of Chicago contains extensive holdings on the history of art, and a significant collection of auction catalogs.
Frick Art Reference Library
FRESCO, the Frick Research Catalog Online, contains the library's significant holdings. A separate search is required for the Frick Art Reference Library's extensive holdings of auction catalogs.
J. Paul Getty Institute
The Research Library of the J. Paul Getty Institute is an outstanding collection of arts materials. To search the catalog, under "Research Library Resources" click on "Search the Library Catalog."
Metropolitan Museum of Art
WATSONLINE is the catalogue of the Thomas J. Watson Library of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Watson library contains superb holdings of books on all areas of art history.
Museum of Modern Art
The Museum Library of the Museum of Modern Art contains important holdings on modernism as well as critical vertical files on artists of the modern period. All library materials are catalogued in Dadabase.
Pierpont Morgan Library
Corsair is the online catalog of the Pierpont Morgan Library.
