Library Services

How to Identify Art

There are many books that give general information on the history of art and descriptions of the different styles. The materials are found in the 700 through 709 section, located on the 4th floor and on the 2nd floor in the reference area. By searching the Online Catalog you will find material on specific time periods, geographical regions, styles and people.

Example: Search by Subject = "Art, Renaissance"
"Art, Japan"
"Degas, Edgar"
"Michelangelo"

Biographies:

A Biographical index to California and western artists: a handbook providing reference to over 50 books and exhibition catalogs as biographical sources R709.22 K84
California artists, 1935 to 1956 Rq709.794 M122
Contemporary artists R709.22 C761
The Illustrated biographical encyclopedia of artists of the American west R709.22 S193
Who's who in American art R709.928 W628

Dictionaries and Encyclopedias:

Dictionary of art R703 D554
Encyclopedia of world art Rq703 E56
McGraw-Hill dictionary of art Rq703 M147

Introductions:

Gardner's art through the ages 709 G227
A World history of art: painting, sculpture, architecture, decorative arts 709 P676

Indexes in the reference area of the library can be used to find books and articles in journals and magazines that contain art reproductions. Each book lists the works indexed. Generally, the title of the artwork will be followed by a code that identifies the source containing the reproduction. Search the Online Catalog for the cited work to obtain the location.

Indexes:

The Classified directory of artist's signatures, symbols and monograms R760 C244
Index to reproductions of American paintings appearing in over 400 books mostly published since 1960 759.13 S654
Index to two-dimensional art works R700.16 K85

Internet:
General Articles Database and the Newsbank database are available through the computer catalog.

Magazines:

Art index, and Readers' guide to periodical literature are paper indexes to magazines articles and are located on the 3rd floor in the index area of the Central Library. EBSCO is a periodical database.

Pricing guides:

Art sales index R700.75 A615
Auction prices of American artists R709.730294 A898
Christie's Review of the season R706.5 C555
International auction records R700.29 I61
Gordon's print price annual R760.075 G665
Sotheby's Art at auction 708.2 A784

Reproductions & Catalogs:

Catalogue of Collections / E.B. Crocker Art Gallery
R708.19454 E11c2 1964
Fine art reproductions of old & modern masters: a comprehensive illustrated catalog of art through the ages f759 N532
National Gallery of Art, Washington R708.153 N277zw

The preceding materials are not comprehensive and should be supplemented by consulting an expert. Local curators and experts in art are:

Crocker Art Museum Appraisal Days
216 O Street (3rd & O)
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone:(916) 264-5423

For further help, ask at an Information Desk.