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ARHS 4399 Research and Methods in Art History: Getting Started

Background Information

Finding Background Information
This guide provides tips on finding background resources through a SMU Library Search. They also provide access to two potentially helpful databases - Oxford Bibliographies and Reference Universe - to use to search for your artist, culture, and/or object type.

Oxford Art Online
Search for cultures, geographical regions, object types, artists/creators, and art movements to access comprehensive overviews, including images, exhibition histories (to a certain point) and bibliographies.

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Dallas Museum of Art by Bonnie Pitman
ISBN: 9780300179637

Publication Date: 2012

Check if your object has an entry in the most recent general collection guide. To find previous DMA collection guides search SMU Libraries for "Dallas Museum of Art" collection guide.
Vitamin T by Phaidon
ISBN: 9781838663575

Publication Date: 2021

Provides biographical entries on major contemporary crafters.
A Companion to Nineteenth-Century Art by Michelle Facos
ISBN: 9781118856369

Publication Date: 2018

Covers various aspects of 19th century art, including Impressionism, American art, exhibition practices and the art market.
The Dictionary of British Art by Ellis Waterhouse
ISBN: 0902028936

Publication Date: 1981

Includes a robust entry on Thomas Gainsborough and other British 18th century painters.
Islamic Art in the Keir Collection by B. W. Robinson
ISBN: 0571137539

Publication Date: 1988

Provides reference entries for Islamic decorative arts, illuminated books and manuscripts within the Keir Collection. Reach out to Curatorial@dma.org to find out the specific reference entry number.

Researching at the DMA's Mayer Library

Library Homepage
After you've researched through SMU Libraries, email library@dma.org to see if they have object references for further reading on your object.

Tips for reaching out to the Mayer Library staff -

Share your research question/thesis and how you've addressed researching your topic so far.
Share your bibliography so they know what you have already found.
If making an appointment, note they have limited hours (Wed - Friday, 11am-5pm) and let them know what date/times work for you.

Mayer Library Search
Use broader search terms, since search results will be limited to book or print journal titles, not individual articles.
Online Resources
links to trusted internet websites with relevant information for researching DMA objects.

Finding Images of Objects at the DMA

DMA Online Collection
Search by artist, artwork title, object type, or object number to find your specific DMA object. Note the culture, date, object type or medium, artist/creator (if known). Background information is sometimes provided at the bottom of the record.

ARTstor
Some, but not all, Dallas Museum of Art objects are available to save and download here. ARTstor has a citation generator to help you form an image caption.

Need More Help?

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Contact:

kalleman@smu.edu

Subjects: Art and Art History, Dance, Fashion Media

Citation Help

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Writing about Art

A Short Guide to Writing about Art by Sylvan Barnet
ISBN: 9780205886999

Publication Date: 2014

Provides guided instruction on writing formal analysis and research papers.
Criticizing Art by Terry Barrett
ISBN: 1559341475

Publication Date: 1994

Offers sections on describing and interpreting contemporary art.