You are here:

Guidelines for Art History

1. Purpose
2. General Collection Guidelines
    A. Language
    B. Chronology
    C. Geography
    D. Publication Date
    E. Treatment of Subject
    F. Types of Materials and Formats
3. Area Resources
4. Subjects and Collecting Levels
5. Methodology

1. Purpose.

To support research and teaching through the doctoral level. The primary goal of the program is to provide the student with a broad humanistic educational base. To that end, the focus is on a general comprehensive knowledge of the discipline, as well as on the development of critical and historiographical methods (e.g. stylistic analysis, iconography). Programs are designed to train critical and productive scholars who are well grounded in the literature and methodology of art historical inquiry.

The Department of Art History offers its majors a program which acquaints them with the humanistic discipline of art historical inquiry. Four distinct curricula culminating in either the bachelor of arts (B.A.) or the bachelor of fine arts (B.F.A.) degrees are available to department's majors. Three tracks are available within the B.A. degree program: 1)general art history prepatory, 2)architectural history focus, and 3)museum studies focus. The B.F.A. degree program has one track that offers the integration of studio art with art history.

The graduate program in Art History places a strong emphasis on multi-cultural and interdisciplinary approaches to the history of art. In the department's graduate programs, students may pursue an M.A. degree in Art History, Architectural History, or Museum Studies. In the Museum Studies track, practical experience is stressed through on-site museum instruction and internships, as well as study of curatorial and administrative aspects of the profession.

The PhD program offers the doctoral degree with a strong focus in Modern or Non-Western (African, Oceanic, Pre-Columbian, Latin American, Oriental, and Native American Art) areas of concentration. However, doctoral students may also pursue areas of major concentration in Western Art and Architecture.

2. General Collection Guidelines.

A. Language.
In general, there are no language restrictions placed on primary and secondary source material, since graduate students are required to have at least a reading knowledge of two Western European languages, preferably French and German. Because of the large undergraduate program, English-language translations of these works may be acquired and are regarded as acceptable when the work in its original language is unavailable.

B. Chronology.
None.

C. Geography.
No restrictions. A special effort is being made to collect works on the art of non-Western and colonial cultures (e.g. Africa, Latin America, Oceania).

D. Publication Date.
No restrictions. Particular attention is given to the acquisition of retrospective primary and secondary source material.

E. Treatment of Subject.
Material providing historical, critical, or technical aspects of Art History, Architectural History, and Museum Studies is acquired. With few exceptions, popularized material like guides to collecting antiques is not collected.

F. Types of Materials and Formats.
Monographs and reference works - including dictionaries, encyclopedias, and bibliographies - are actively collected. There is no restriction on the format of retrospective material, although backruns of journal titles - particularly those with color plates or illustrations - are preferred in hard copy. Funds permitting, primary sources on film or fiche (e.g. INDEX OF AMERICAN DESIGN) are a high priority, as are serial backfiles, out-of-print serial runs. Occasional dissertations are acquired only if they constitute the sole source of information on an artist, trend, or topic. Recently, VCU Libraries has committed itself to collecting art exhibition catalogues in as comprehensive a fashion possible. In addition, selected films and videos in support of Art History instruction are acquired.

Generally, materials are excluded that either duplicate: 1) holdings of book art in Cabell Library's Special Collections; and 2) art auction catalogues held by the Virginia Museum Library. Also excluded is original artwork.

Electronic information resources (CD-ROMs, online resources, etc.) may also be acquired on a selective basis.

3. Area Resources.

Chief among the resources in the Richmond metropolitan area are the School of the Arts Library which houses one of the four largest slide collections in the United States, the Virginia Museum Library, with its extensive auction catalogue collection, and the monograph and serial holdings at the Richmond Public Library.

4. Subjects and Collecting Levels.

Subject	Call Number Range	Present	Desired
*Museum Studies*
Exhibitions	N4390-5098; NX420-430	E	C1
Museum Theory	N410-490	D	C1
Collecting/Collections	N5198-5299	D	C1
Art Museums, Galleries	N400-4040	D	C1
Economics of Art	N8600-8675	D	C2
Patronage of the Arts	NX700-750	D	C2
Art & the state/public art	N8700-9165	D	C2
*Art History*
Art Criticism	N7475-7483	C2	B
History of Art	N5300-7418	C2	B
History of Architecture	N190-1613	C2	B
History of Sculpture	NB60-1115	C2	B
History of Film	PN1993.5	C2	B
History of Drawing	NC50-376	C2	B
History of Painting	ND49-1113	C2	B
History of Printmaking	NE400-820	C2	B

5. Methodology.

Collection-centered: List-checking, either in its entirety, or using samplings from:

Ehresmann, Donald L. Fine Arts: a Bibliographic Guide . . . . 2nd ed. Littleton, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1979.

Jones, Lois Swan. Art Research Methods and Resources. 2nd ed. Dubuque, IO: Kendall/Hunt, 1984.

Lucas, E. Louise. Art Books: a Basic Bibliography . . . . Greenwich, CT: New York Graphic Society, 1968.