The Best Reference Books for Artists
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Reference Books about Art and Artists
Do you want to find out more about art and artists?
Do you find 'artspeak' just plain confusing - and want to know what that art term means?
Do you need a dictionary of artists?
Do you want to identify an artist's signature?
Find out about reference books for artists which fill in the gaps in the books you currently have in your library.
Image: Yale Dictionary of Art and Artists published by Yale University Press
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- BOOK: Art: The Definitive Visual Guide
- Online Art Dictionaries
- BOOKS: Dictionaries of Art Terms
- Online Dictionaries of Artists
- BOOKS: Dictionaries of Artists
- BOOKS: Compilations of Artists
- BOOKS: Artists Signatures
- BOOKS: Art Atlases
- BOOKS: Artspeak - and contemporary art
- BOOKS: American Art and Artists
- Art Books - Resources for Artists
- How to find a good art bookshop
- Comments and Feedback
BOOK: Art: The Definitive Visual Guide
Covers 700 artists in a 540 page chronological overview of the history of art relating to different cultures and the main periods of art history from prehistory to the present day.
According to the author/editor, the purpose of this book is as straightforward as its "does-what-it-says-on-the-tin" title. Its aim is to open, to the general reader, a thousand doors into a thousand different experiences of art - and by doing so, to make the wold of the museum and art gallery, church and cloister, temple and mosque, both more enjoyable and more accessible.
Art
Amazon Price: $41.66 (as of 05/28/2012)
List Price:
Used Price: $40.11
READ MY REVIEW: Book Review: Art - the definitive visual guide
This is essentially a visual guide. The text is informative and succinct but does not provide an in-depth discussion of art in different periods.
In 600+ pages, this book succeeds in giving a very good flavour of each art movement, art period, art culture and an awful lot of artists.
It's a very good book for introducing people to art across the ages and different cultures. A primer for those wanting to learn more about the history of art and suitable for all students - young and old.
Andrew Graham Dixon suggests it can be used as a work of reference, a bluffer's crib or a guide and companion on a path to exploring art.
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Online Art Dictionaries
These are free dictionary resources which help you to understand the different art terms in use
- ArtLex Art Dictionary
- Dictionary of visual art defines more than 3500 art-related terms. Also includes a comprehensive collection of artwork and famous quotes.
- Tate | Glossary
- Tate Museum - The Tate Glossary online is designed to explain and illuminate some of the art terminology you will find in the collection pages. It contains definitions, most with illustrations, of nearly 300 terms including artist groups and art movements, techniques, media and other art jargon.
Terms are listed alphabetically - to browse the glossary choose a letter from A to Z above. Most definitions are illustrated by example images. To search for more images try the subject search. - Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques
- Art Dictionary (A - Z) for quick lookup of art terms, definitions, and techniques.
BOOKS: Dictionaries of Art Terms
books on Amazon
These books explain the different art terms in use in the art world. From technical terms relating to how artists work, to descriptions of the material and media used and terms used to describe artwork
Online Dictionaries of Artists
and Art Historians
Links to resources which provide lists of artists and engravers - but not all are free. Those that exist generally tehn provide access to more information about the individual artist and/or access to images of their work
- Benezit Dictionary of Artists
- Oxford University Press is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Benezit Dictionary of Artists. Since 1911, the Benezit has been the unrivalled, indispensable work of reference for art historians, dealers, collectors and students.
The first English edition (2006) is the largest edition ever-over 170,000 entries, comprising over 20,000 pages in 14 volumes. Older entries have been updated and expanded, over 3,000 entries have been completely rewritten, and over 2,000 new entries have been added. - Benezit Dictionary of Artists
- Oxford University Press is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Benezit Dictionary of Artists. Since 1911, the Benezit has been the unrivalled, indispensable work of reference for art historians, dealers, collectors and students.
The first English edition (2006) is the largest edition ever-over 170,000 entries, comprising over 20,000 pages in 14 volumes. Older entries have been updated and expanded, over 3,000 entries have been completely rewritten, and over 2,000 new entries have been added. - Web Gallery of Art, image collection, virtual museum, searchable database of European fine arts (1000-1850)
- Web Gallery of Art - lists of artists
- Web Gallery of Art, image collection, virtual museum, searchable database of European fine arts (1000-1850)
- Web Gallery of Art - lists of artists
- Web Gallery of Art, image collection, virtual museum, searchable database of European fine arts (1000-1850)
- Web Gallery of Art - Artists Index
- Web Gallery of Art, image collection, virtual museum, searchable database of European fine arts (1000-1850)
- Web Gallery of Art - Artists Index
- Artcyclopedia: Artist Name Search Results
- Search by Artist Name
- Artcyclopedia: Artist Name Search Results
- Search by Artist Name
- ART HISTORY RESOURCES ON THE WEB: Research Resources
- Lists of artists
- ART HISTORY RESOURCES ON THE WEB: Research Resources
- Lists of artists
- Artist Biographies - Art History Movements - wwar.com
- Visual Artists: (biographies, indepth information)
Artists below have artist biographies associated with their artworks. The alphabetic listing offers the option to choose by last name, first name. - Artist Biographies - Art History Movements - wwar.com
- Visual Artists: (biographies, indepth information)
Artists below have artist biographies associated with their artworks. The alphabetic listing offers the option to choose by last name, first name. - Mark Harden's Artchive: Artist Links
- Mark Harden's Artchive: Artist Links
- Mark Harden's Artchive: Artist Links
- Mark Harden's Artchive: Artist Links
- CGFA- Indexes
- Lists of artists
- CGFA- Indexes
- Lists of artists
- Artists study guide - Victoria and Albert Museum
- Recommended resources for the study of artists
- Artists study guide - Victoria and Albert Museum
- Recommended resources for the study of artists
- Finding Biographical Information on Artists
- FINDING BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION ON ARTISTS - ONLINE AND PRINT RESOURCES Most people prefer to begin online, but for lesser-known artists, you will probably need to consult print material after you have checked these electronic resources.
GENERAL SOURCES: ONLINE - Finding Biographical Information on Artists
- FINDING BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION ON ARTISTS - ONLINE AND PRINT RESOURCES Most people prefer to begin online, but for lesser-known artists, you will probably need to consult print material after you have checked these electronic resources.
GENERAL SOURCES: ONLINE - Etchings and engravings - biographical dictionary of artists
- Artists, etchers and engravers
- Etchings and engravings - biographical dictionary of artists
- Artists, etchers and engravers
- Axis - Directory of artists and curators (contemporary art UK)
- Explore artist and curator portfolios
- Axis - Directory of artists and curators (contemporary art UK)
- Explore artist and curator portfolios
- Dictionary of Art Historians
- DICTIONARY OF ART HISTORIANS
A Biographical Dictionary of Historic Scholars, Museum Professionals and Academic Historians of Art
In Association with the Department of Art, Art History and Visual Studies, Duke University
BOOKS: Dictionaries of Artists
books on Amazon
These books list art movements and artists and provide a short biographical summary for each artist or movement. Each tackles the topic in a slightly different way and I've found it's a good idea to have more than one dictionary
BOOKS: Compilations of Artists
Books which provide compilations of artists very often provide a good introduction to people trying to learn more about art history in general. They are frequently organised around art movements of periods
BOOKS: Artists Signatures
These books tell you how to recognise an artist's signature or monogram
BOOKS: Art Atlases
The Art Atlas provides a geographical perspective on the development of art and how it travelled across boundaries
BOOKS: Artspeak - and contemporary art
books on Amazon
How to decipher artspeak
BOOKS: American Art and Artists
These are all books dedicated to American art and Artists
Art Books - Resources for Artists
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How to find a good art bookshop
Making A Mark
Artist and author Katherine Tyrrell draws and writes about art for artists and art lovers.
Topics include: artists, art exhibitions, art blogs; art history; art techniques and tips; art business and marketing; art economy and making a mark with pastels, coloured pencils and pen and ink.
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a consumer's guide to quality and value in art books, art supplies and services to artists
This blog highlights:
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- reviews of other products or services used by artists
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Making A Mark - Top Books for Artists
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I'm an artist and writer who enjoys sharing information about art. Making A Mark is rated #3 in the top 25 UK art blogs. I'm also a member of the Giants... more »
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