Begin researching an artist, musician, or writer by finding biographical information.
Search for articles and books about the artist, musician, or writer and their work.
Search the library catalog
Look for works by the artist, musician, or writer.
This link opens in a new windowNew Artstor platform. Features images from some of the world's leading museums, photo archives, scholars, and artists. It is a comprehensive image resource, with many rare and important collections available nowhere else.
Search the library catalog and I-Share (interlibrary loan)
When researching a work of art, try to begin with the website of the museum or institution that owns the work if possible. The musuem or institution can often provide important background information that will help you as you go deeper into the research. If researching an architectural work like a church, try to begin with the website of the entity that owns the site or a foundation dedicated to preserving the site.
Contextualize the work:
In addition to using museum websites, you can use a database like ARTstor to find high resolution images of the work, other works by the artist or architect, other works made during the same time and place, and other works on the same subject.
Search for articles and books on the work, the artist, and other related works and artists in order to further contextualize the work.
Search the Library Catalog
