Art History Bibliography and Library Methods

Iconography

Art 600

QUICK REFERENCE

1. Hall, J. Dictionary of subjects and symbols in art (1974)

N7560 .H34 Art reference

Comprehensive dictionary of Western iconography; alphabetical arrangement; literary sources briefly described in annotated bibliography; few references to specific art works.

2. Preston, P. A dictionary of pictorial subjects from classical literature (1983)

N7760 .P68 1983 Art reference

Subjects organized under broad, alphabetically-arranged headings that can easily be applied to pictorial puzzles from ancient art; no references to works of visual art, only citations to scenes from classical literature; few illustrations.

GENERAL

3. Bernen, S. & R. Myth and religion in European painting, 1200-1700 (1973)

ND1288 .B47 1973 Art stacks

Dictionary format; covers most common Christian and mythological subjects. Doesn't mention art works, even generally.

4. Cirlot, J. A dictionary of symbols (2d ed., 1971)

BE1623.S9C513 1971 Green reference

Chiefly astrological and other occult symbols; fairly extensive bibliography; few illustrations.

5. Hall, J. Illustrated dictionary of symbols in eastern and western art (1994)

N7740 .H35 1994 Art reference

Substantive, but non-scholarly, entries for religious and secular symbols, illustrated with excellent drawings, are arranged in various subject categories: Abstract signs, Animals, Earth & sky, Plants, etc. Within categories, entries are arranged alphabetically.

6. Jobes, G. Dictionary of mythology, folklore and symbols 3 v. (1962)

GR35 .J6 Art reference

Short definitions of a wide range of symbols, concepts, and fictional characters; includes useful indexes of deities and of forms, objects and gestures, organized under broad headings, that could be used to identify scenes in art works. No illustrations or specific bibliography.

7. Koch, W. Musisches Lexikon: Künstler, Kunstwerke und Motive aus Dichtung, Musik, and bildender Kunst (1964)

N33.K7 1964 Green reference

Compares treatment of broad themes by writers, composers, and artists.

8. Reallexikon zur Byzantinischen Kunst v. 1- (1966-)

N6250 .W4 Art reference

In-process encyclopedia which includes very thorough treatment of themes and subject matter used in Byzantine art; complete into the K's.

9. Reallexikon zur Deutschen Kunstgeschichte v. 1- (1937-)

N6861 .S45 Art reference

Also in-process; also very useful for the treatment of a form or theme if related to German art; still in the G's.

10. Roberts, H., ed. Encyclopedia of comparative iconography: themes depicted in works of art 2 v. (1998)

N7565 .E53 1998 Art reference

Collection of extended essays on the actions, situations, conditions, etc., most commonly depicted in western art—e.g., "Annunciation," "Childbirth," "Fame," "Lamentation," "Mirror," "Seasons," "Upside Down." Each essay has selective list of art works that illustrate the theme and extensive bibliography.

11. Waal, H. van de. ICONCLASS: an iconographic classification system (1973-85)

Z697 .A8 W3 1973 Art reference

A detailed classification system for art subject matter; starting with an alphabetically arranged index that leads you to a classification number which you can use in the System volume to refine your topic, or directly in the Bibliography to find books and articles on the topic; this classification system is used by a number of picture sources to provide subject access to art works (see section on PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTIONS ACCESSIBLE BY SUBJECT). Bibliography is thorough enough to be used as an index to other iconographic sources such as Kirschbaum and van Marle.

back to top

CHRISTIAN

12. Cabrol, F. Dictionnaire d'archéologie chrétienne et de liturgie 15 v. (1953)

BR95.C2 Green reference

Detailed information particularly on Early Christian iconography and practice; many illustrated examples.

13. Kaftal, G. Iconography of the saints in central and south Italian painting (1965)

N8080 .K25 v.2 Art reference

----------. Iconography of the saints in the painting of north east Italy (1978)

N8080 .K25 v.3 Art reference

----------. Iconography of the saints in the painting of north west Italy (1985)

N8080 .K25 v.4 Art reference

----------. Iconography of the saints in Tuscan Painting (1952)

N8080 .K25 v.1 Art reference

Very detailed reference to the representations of saints in the work of various regions of Italy; well illustrated; includes bibliography; also has indexes to attributes and distinctive signs.

14. Kirschbaum, E. Lexikon der Christlichen Ikonographie 8 v. (1976)

BV150 .L4 Art reference

Comprehensive reference to themes in Christian art; first four volumes are alphabetically arranged iconographic topics and second four include articles on saints; vol. 4 contains a useful glossary of English and French terms and their German equivalents; vol. 8 has index of saints' attributes.

15. Réau, L. Iconographie de l'art chrétien 3 v. in 6 (1959)

N7830 .R4 Art reference

Before Kirschbaum was completed, this was the foremost reference source on Christian iconography; v. 1=Introduction, v. 2=iconography of the Bible, Old Testament and New Testament, v. 3=iconography of the saints; organized according to chapters of the Bible (v. 2) and alphabetically (v. 3); includes examples of specific art works but sparsely illustrated.

16. Roberts, H. Iconographic index to Old Testament subjects represented in photographs and slides of paintings in the visual collections, Fine Arts Library, Harvard University (1987)

ND1430 .R63 1987 Art reference

------------. Iconographic index to New Testament subjects represented in photographs and slides of paintings in the visual collections, Fine Arts Library, Harvard University, v.1: Narrative paintings of the Italian school (1992)

ND1430 .R6 1992 Art reference

Printed subject indexes to images in Harvard's slide collection; the "Index of concepts, terms, and proper names" refers you to proper ICONCLASS number; the ICONCLASS index lists actual works, by school and artist's name, that portray the theme. Museum or other collection is given.

17. Schiller, G. Ikonographie der Christlichen Kunst v.1-5 (1966-1990)

N7830 .S35 Art reference

Well illustrated; v. 1=Incarnation and early life of Christ, v.2= Passion and Crucifixion, v. 3=Resurrection and Ascension, v. 4:1=iconography of the church and its liturgy, v. 4:2=the Life of the Virgin, v. 5=Apocalypse; vol. 1 & 2 exist in English translation with excellent subject index; rest of set minimally indexed by artist and collection.

back to top

SECULAR

18. Marle, R. van. Iconographie de l'art profane au Moyen-Age, et à la Renaissance et la decoration des demeures 2 v. (1932)

N5970 .M28 1971 Art

Important source but difficult to use for quick look-up; v. 1=daily life, v. 2=allegories and symbols as represented in medieval and Renaissance art; many illustrations but no index; ICONCLASS bibliography (#11) provides some indexing.

19. Pigler, A. Barockthemen...Ikonographie des 17. und 18. Jahrhunderts 3 v. (1974)

N6410 .P5 1974 Art reference

Primary focus is listing works which illustrate particular themes and citing sources of reproductions of them; v. 1=biblical themes, v. 2=secular subjects, v. 3=illustrations; limited index.

20. Tervarent, G. de. Attributs et Symboles dans l'art profane, 1450-1600 3 v. (1964)

N7740 .T4 Art reference

Dictionary arrangement by theme; each section refers to specific works of art and a literary source for the topic; v. 2 has subject index, v. 3 has index to artists, collections and historical figures.

CLASSICAL

21. Aghion, I. Gods and heroes of classical antiquity (1996)

N7760 .A34 1996

Alphabetical arrangement of brief but pithy entries on the iconography of figures from Greek and Roman mythology. Under "Representations" in each entry, specific works of art in which the figure or theme is represented are discussed. Basic bibliographical references also supplied.

22. Brommer, F. Denkmälerlisten zur Griechischen Heldensage 3 v. (1976)

N5333 .B67 Art

Covers mythological figures and lists representations; unillustrated; includes examples of the figure's interaction with others.

23. ----------. Vasenlisten zur Griechischen Heldensagen (1973)

NK4645 .B74 1973 Art

Similar in arrangement but covers representations on Greek painted pottery exclusively.

24. Enciclopedia dell'arte antica: classica e orientale 8 v. (1958-1973)

N31 .E48 Art reference

Concentrates on the classical period in the Mediterranean world. Includes long, scholarly discussions on the representation of mythological figures in ancient art; substantial bibliographies.

back to top

25. Hunger, H. Lexikon der griechischen und römischen Mythologie (1959)

BL715 .H8 1969 Green reference

Dictionary of deities, heroes and other important figures, with lists of works of art and literature in which they have appeared.

26. Lexicon Iconographicum Mythologiae Classicae (LIMC) v. 1- (1981-)

N7760 .L49 Art reference

Extremely complete source of classical iconography; when completed will be the standard work for years to come. Each entry includes textual references, discussions of the various pictorial representations, and many illustrations; each numerical volume comes in two parts: text and plates; each contains addenda for previous volumes. Complete into the "T"s.

27. Reid, J. The Oxford guide to classical mythology in the arts, 1300-1990s 2 v. (1993)

NX650 .M9 R45 1993 Art reference

Alphabetical arrangement of the names of mythological figures or groups of figures. For each, gives chronological list of works of art (including literature and music) that portray them, along with references to sources of further information—including illustrations, for examples of visual art. Current locations given for visual art works. Index of artists, authors, and composers.

28. Roscher, W. Ausführliches Lexikon der Griechischen und Römischen Mythologie 11 v. (1927)

BL715 .R7 Green reference

Particularly strong on the iconography of figures from classical mythology. Cites specific art works in which figures or themes were represented and also bibliographical references to illustrations of the art works in late 19th- and early 20th-c. books and journals.

EMBLEMS

29. Henkel, A. & A. Schoene. Emblemata: Handbuch zur Sinnbildkunst des XVI. und XVII. Jahrhundert (1967)

N7740 .H53 Art locked stack

Most important single reference work on emblems. Presents reproduced emblems, along with accompanying mottos and other texts, in a classified subject arrangement. Excellent subject index and bibliographies.

30. Praz, M. Studies in seventeenth century imagery (1964)

N7740 .P72 1964 Art

First half is a monograph on the development of emblems and emblem books; second half is a bibliography of these books.

BIBLIOGRAPHIES

31. Lurker, M. Bibliographie zur Symbolkunde 3 v. (1968)

Z7660 .L8 Special Collections

----------, ed. Bibliographie zur Symbolik, Ikonographie und Mythologie (1968-)

Z7660 .B5 Art

A classified, annotated, retrospective bibliography of books and periodicals. After 1964 refer to the annual bibliography; contains subject and author indexes.

32. Murray, I. Sources in iconography in the Blackader-Lauterman Library of Architecture and Art, McGill University: an annotated bibliography (1997)

N7565 .Z99 B53 1997 Art

Well-annotated entries for over 500 key works in the areas of classical, Christian, Asian, and secular iconography.

back to top

REPRODUCTION INDEXES

33. Clapp, J. Sculpture index 3 v. (1970)

NB36 .C55 Art reference

34. Garrigan, K. Victorian art reproductions in modern sources: a bibliography (1991)

Z5961 .G7 G37 1991 Art reference

35. Havlice, P. World painting index (and supplement) 4 v. (1977-1982)

ND45 .H38 Art reference

36. Iconclass indexes. Dutch prints (1994-)

Z695 .A8 S85 1994 Art reference

Uses the Iconclass subject scheme to index some of The illustrated Bartsch volumes on Netherlandish printmakers. Published so far: v.4, Goltzius and his school, by R. van Straten; v.7, The seventeenth century, I, by R. van Straten; v.8, The seventeenth century, II, by R. van Straten.

37. Iconclass indexes. Early German prints (1995-)

NE651 .L386 1995 Art reference

Uses the Iconclass subject scheme to index some of The illustrated Bartsch volumes on German printmakers. Published so far: v.1, Martin Scongauer and his school, by F. Laupichler and R. van Straten.

38. Iconclass indexes. Italian prints (1987-)

NE659 .I28 Art reference

Uses the Iconclass subject scheme to index Hind's Early Italian engraving and some of The illustrated Bartsch volumes on Italian printmakers. Published so far: v.1, Early Italian engraving; v.2, Marcantonio Raimondi and his school; v.3, Antonio Tempesta and his time; v.4, The seventeenth century, all by R. van Straten.

39. Iconclass indexes. Rembrandt and his school (2000-)

ND646 .L38 2000 Art reference

Uses the Iconclass subject scheme to index W. Sumowski's Gemälde der Rembrandt-Schüler. Published so far: v.1, Paintings of the Rembrandt school, artists A-J; v.2, Paintings of the Rembrandt school, artists K-Z and anonymous.

40. Korwin, Y. Index to two-dimensional art works (1981)

N7525 .K67 Art reference

41. Laing, E. An index to reproductions of paintings by twentieth-century Chinese artists (1984)

ND1045 .L18 Art reference

42. Monro, I. Index to reproductions of American paintings (1948)

ND205 .M57 Art reference

back to top

43. ----------. Index to reproductions of European paintings (1956)

ND45 .M6 Art reference

44. Moss, M. Photography books index: a subject guide to photo anthologies I & II 2 v. (1980-85)

TR199 .M67 Art reference

45. Parry, P. Contemporary art and artists: an index to reproductions (1978)

N6490 .P3234 Art reference

46. ----------. Photography index: a guide to reproductions (1979)

TR199 .P37 Art reference

47. ----------. Print index: a guide to reproductions (1983)

NE90 .P17 1983 Art reference

48. Rochelle, M. Historical art index, A.D. 400-1650: people, places and events depicted (1989)

N8210 .R6 1989 Art reference

49. Rochelle, M. Mythological and classical world art index: a locator of paintings, sculptures, frescoes, manuscript illuminations, sketches, woodcuts, and engravings executed 1200 B.C. to 1900 A.D., with a directory of the institutions holding them (1991)

N7760 .R63 1991 Art reference

50. Smith, L. & N. Moure. Index to reproductions of American paintings (1977)

ND205 .S575 Art reference

51. Teague, E. Index to Italian architecture: a guide to key monuments and reproduction sources (1992)

NA111 .T4 1992 Art reference

52. ------. World architecture index: a guide to illustrations (1991)

NA202 .T4 1991 Art reference

53. Thomson, E. Index to art reproductions in books (1974)

N7525 .H48 1974 Art reference

PORTRAIT INDEXES

54. A.L.A portrait index 3 v. (1906)

N7620 .A2 1965 Art reference

Index to reproductions of portraits in books and periodicals, mostly pre-1900.

55. Ormond, R. & M. Rogers. Dictionary of British portraiture v.1- (1979-)

N7598 .D5 1979 Art reference

v. 1=historical figures born before 1800,
v. 2=1700-1800, v. 3=1800-1860,
v. 4=1860-1900. Covers only British subjects; no illustrations.

56. Singer, H. Allgemeiner Bildniskatalog 14 v. (1936)

N7575 .S55 1930a Art reference

----------. Neuer Bildniskatalog 5 v. (1938)

N7575 .S562 Art reference.

Indexes 180,000 portraits in graphic media owned by various German public collections. Arranged by sitter; each volume indexed by artist and the profession of the sitter. Second set covers broader range of media (paintings, sculptures, photographs) and includes works in many European and American collections.

back to top

PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLECTIONS ACCESSABLE
BY SUBJECT

57. Index iconologicus (1980)

Mfiche 1362 Art (ask at desk)

Index iconologicus: a guide to the microform edition

Z5939 .M5 1980 Art reference

Iconographic classification of Christian and secular art, compiled by an art historian at Duke University. Conceived to complement Princeton's Index to Christian Art (#55); covers 16th and 17th centuries and secular topics. Entries are organized by topic, attribute or name. Many entries illustrated with reproductions of prints drawn from those cataloged by Bartsch. Also includes descriptions of iconographic themes and textual references for further information. Can be used to provide subject access to the prints illustrated in The Illustrated Bartsch. First section of fiche is the "Primordia," a chronological bibliography of important books on art and printing.

58. Index of Christian art

Available online, on the SUL databases list. Important collection of photographs covering pre-1400 Christian art with an associated card index arranged by subject; organized at Princeton but the UCLA Art Library has a copy of the index and will look things up on request.

59. Netherlands Institute for Art History. Decimal Index of Art of the Low Countries (D.I.A.L.) Shelved in the Art Library, Locked Stack

Large set of postcard-sized photographs of Dutch painting, drawing and graphic art, mostly 17th century, arranged by the Iconclass system.

60. Marburger Index microfiche collection; located in the librarian's office at Berkeley

A fiche collection which reproduces photographs from the Bildarchiv Foto Marburg and the Rheinisches Bildarchiv in Cologne; the collection is particularly strong in German architecture and the art in German public collections; there is an index to the works organized by ICONCLASS number; photos can be ordered from the Bildarchiv.

61. Witt Library, Courtauld Institute of Art (1979-80)

Art MFICHE 1938

A microfiche copy of the Courtauld Institute's illustration collection, The Witt Library, which contains about 1.6 million reproductions of European and American paintings, drawings and prints from about 1200 to the present. The reproductions are arranged by artist, alphabetically within national schools. Information on the mount of each reproduction includes dimensions of the work, its provenance, and biographical data about the artist. Includes Witt Library 10-year update, 1981-1991.

back to top