Humanities and Social Sciences Library > Collections & Reading Rooms > Art & Architecture Collection
Art & Architecture Reading Room
Room 300 | Reference
Collection | Catalogues Raisonnés | Classes
Room 300
The Art and Architecture Collection located in Room 300, is accessible from
the south, or 40th Street end of the Main Reading Room on the third floor
of the Humanities and Social Sciences Library. The room is equipped with
electrical outlets to accommodate laptop computers. Books on the open reference
shelves in Room 300 include categories such as: Sculpture, Clocks and Watches,
Textiles, Ceramics, modern art and architecture and art history. Other reference
materials include dictionaries, encyclopedias and periodical indexes, both
in print and electronic versions.
Photo © Peter Aaron/Esto, 2002 Catalogues Raisonnés
In addition to the open reference shelves, catalogues raisonnés and
oeuvre catalogs are also available in Room 300. A catalogue raisonné is
a comprehensive, annotated listing of all the known works of an artist in
a particular medium or all media. It provides an illustration with title,
dimensions, date, techniques, provenance and literature in reference to each
specific work. In contrast, an oeuvre catalog is a listing with illustrations
of an artist’s works that may contain a citation, though primarily
provides a checklist of each work. Request these items at the Reference Desk.
Classes
The Celeste Bartos Education Center, South Court
Free Lectures and Classes Fall/Winter 2007-2008 Schedule
Please check the Celeste Bartos Education Center for current
schedule. The
classes listed below are offered by staff of the Art & Architecture Collection
this fall.
The Celeste Bartos Education
Center, South Court
Free Lectures and Classes Fall/Winter 2007-2008 Schedule
Please check the Celeste Bartos Education Center for current
schedule. The classes listed below are offered by staff of the Art & Architecture
Collection this fall.
Investigating New York City Architecture
Description: Researching the architecture of a building in New York
City can be difficult and bewildering. This class introduces print and online
resources that can make this process less daunting and more productive. The
collections of The New York Public Library are emphasized, but important resources
throughout the metropolitan area are also introduced.
Decoding the Art Market
Description: You will become acquainted with the tools used in
the art market for the identification and valuation of fine and decorative
art reference books and databases in the field including biographical dictionaries,
auction sale indexes, and catalogues raisonnés. You will learn how
to search and interpret auction records and be able to access auction catalogs
here at the Library.
Researching an Artist
Description: Utilizing books, periodical articles, and biographical
material, this class provides a systematic approach to researching a well-known
or
obscure artist. In addition, the class covers auction indexes for artist
listings as well as ephemeral material.
Researching Costume and Fashion History
Description: The collection of fashion, costume, and dress materials
at NYPL is one
of the richest in the nation. The collection includes long runs of popular
fashion magazines, as well as rare copies of prized eighteenth- and nineteenth-century
publications. Important examples of plate and pattern books complement
the extensive holdings of monographs and serials. This class highlights
the strengths
of the collection and introduces research techniques ranging from use of
the Research Libraries’ online catalog and electronic databases to
image research.
