RESEARCH GUIDE for ART HISTORY RESEARCHERS

Research on a Specific Work of Art

1. Please check a catalogue raisonné of the artist. A catalogue raisonné is a publication (usually a book) which attempts to list all works by one artist. The entry for each work sometimes includes a list of scholarly sources where the work has been discussed. For a less well-known art work, search for the title or artist in an index of art periodicals

2. Also check the major publications on the artist.

1. If the work belongs to a museum collection and you are interested in finding about the exhibition history of the work, you can ask the librarian in the art museum for assistance.

2. If you would like to know a certain work is currently on view in a museum, please contact the museum's Visitor's Service or Collections Management Department.

Information on Appraisal, Evaluation or Authentications

*As a policy, most libraries and museums do not offer appraisals, evaluations or authentications of works of art. But you can consult the following sources.

1. Artnet Fine Arts Auction Database : is available for the recent auctions records. The database is available in some art museums and university libraries. Please check with the individual libraries to see if the database is available for the public.

2. You can also consult the following sources:

   - New York Public Library's Auction Sales Index Research Guide

   - Appriasers Association of America, Inc.
   60 E42nd Street New York, NY 10165 Tel. 212.867.9775

   - Soucy, Patricia C. and Smyth, Janella N. The Appaisal of Personal Property: Principles, Theories and Practice Methods for the Professional Appraiser (Washington, DC: American Society of Appraisers, 1994).