Key reference books

Allgemeines Künstlerlexikon: die bildenden Künstler aller Zeiten und Völker  

‘The Allgemeines Künstlerlexikon (AKL), [Artists of the World], is the successor to the traditional Thieme-Becker and Vollmer standard reference works on art history. It has been published since 1991. It includes artists from all over the world and throughout the ages from antiquity to the present. It not only contains painters, sculptors, and graphic designers, but gives equal weight to architects, designers, photographers, calligraphers, craftsmen, and many other artistic professions. Around 1,500 artist biographies are contained in each volume. An index arranged according to country and artistic profession follows every tenth volume.’  

Shelved in the Small Reading Room: Ref.N40 A  

Benezit Dictionary of Artists  

One of the most comprehensive resources of artists' biographies.  

Shelved in the Small Reading Room: Ref.N40 B  

Also available online as part of Oxford Art Online.

Grove Dictionary of Art  

More of an encyclopaedia than a dictionary, with good bibliographies.

Shelved in the Small Reading Room: Ref.N31 D  

Also available online as part of Oxford Art Online.  

Hollstein etchings, engravings and woodcuts  

Shelved in Research Reserve: NE651 to NE670  

Complete and extensive reproductions of German, Dutch, and Flemish prints created 1450-1700. Complete catalogues raisonnés of prints for major artists and designers. Available in the following series:  

The Illustrated Bartsch (TIB)  

A multi-volume encyclopaedic collection of European prints including engraving, etching, woodcut, and other techniques, from around 1420 until around 1850 with commentary based on Adam von Bartsch’s Le Peintre-Graveur, published in the early nineteenth century, with updates and corrections.  

Shelved in the Research Reserve: qNE90 B    

Also available online through Artstor