The Art and Architecture Collection contains published works on fine art, decorative arts, architecture and design history in general. The scope of the Collection is international, covering the arts from prehistory through the contemporary period. The holdings are remarkably rich for scholarship as a result of the original bequests from the Astor and Lenox collections, and other generous gifts. The Collection is particularly strong in the decorative arts; included among its early holdings is an antiquarian-based collection of portfolio and plate-books; the history of painting and drawing; and in Western European and American architectural history.
About the Division
New Exhibition! Fortune and Folly in 1720
September 23, 2022–February 19, 2023
Fortune and Folly in 1720 chronicles the spectacular rise and fall of the first international bubble economy. The Mississippi and South Sea Bubbles, which spawned the invention of French banknotes as well as joint-stock companies built on fantasies of New World trade, imposed on everyday Europeans a crash course in new financial products. In turn, a bubbling print market relentlessly caricatured the meltdown, offering viewers an entertaining primer on the otherwise bewildering realities of modern economic life. Learn more.
Visiting the Collection
Can researchers access the collection without an appointment?
While patrons will need to book an appointment to access materials in the Art & Architecture Collection in Room 300 and our onsite databases, same-day appointments can be made in person pending availability.
Are virtual consultations available and are they required before making an onsite research appointment?
Virtual consultations are available for researchers who wish to discuss their research plans. Please book a virtual consultation with one of our librarians. You do not have to have a virtual consultation prior to your visit to the Art & Architecture Collection.
What else do researchers need to know about accessing the collection?
Use the catalog to browse collections that may be useful to you in order to request them for your visit. Some collections are stored offsite and require 2–3 days for delivery.
Who can researchers contact with further questions?
Please email us at art@nypl.org with any additional queries.
Featured
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Digital Collections
Interact with digitized items from the Art & Architecture Collection.
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Research Guides
Explore specialized lists, indexes, bibliographies, and more.
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From Our Blog
Check out blog posts from the expert librarians of the Art & Architecture Collection.
Events
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Getting Started in the Wallach Division
Monday, April 3 | 1 PM