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Old masters - men and women: Other libraries

Resources for the study of historic European painting from the Middle Ages to the eighteenth century, including markets

 

 

Library Hub Discover will find you books in other libraries in the UK (plus Dublin).

Library Hub Discover does not tell you which of the libraries it lists you can access. For this info see: 

 

The key libraries in London are likely to be:

  • British Library
  • National Art Library
  • Westminster Reference Library

The National Art Library offers access to databases not available at SIA, as follows:

  • Art & Architecture ePortal
  • Art Sales Catalogues Online (incorporating Lugt's Répertoire)
  • Artists of the World Online (Thieme and Becker's Allgemeines Künstlerlexikon)

 

For British art, see:

  • Paul Mellon Centre 
  • Tate Library 

 

Many other libraries may be useful. Please note that all of those listed below are either only open on an appointment basis, or only allow access to consult material not readily available elsewhere. Check the other libraries in London guide for exact access details for each library.

  • British Museum for researching prints and drawings in the Museum. Please note it may take 10 working days to make an appointment to use the library
  • National Gallery for researching paintings in the Gallery
  • National Portrait Gallery for researching portraiture, especially British portraiture
  • Royal Academy of Arts for researching the Academy and Academicians
  • Wallace Collection for researching paintings in the Collection
  • Warburg Institute particularly for researching Classical influences on later European art. Gives access to the Index of Medieval Art and the International Bibliography of Art

 

Many of the libraries listed on this page also contain archives, worth considering for in-depth research, for instance for an MA dissertation.

 

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WorldCat will find you books in other libraries worldwide.  Coverage is uneven; e.g. there are some major African cities with no libraries included.

The SIA librarians will help you find books and access libraries anywhere in the world: though please note our knowledge of many countries is limited.