SUPPORTING BIBLIOGRAPHY: THE ORIGINS

Abstract

One of the functions of a bibliographer is to perform thematic bibliographic reference – the selection of literature on a topic. Among the thematic queries that arise, there are queries of increased complexity. To fulfill queries efficiently and in time a bibliographer must have relevant knowledge, broad outlook, and awareness in various fields of science and industry. The origin of bibliography began in antiquity. One of the first bibliographic works was composed by Callimachus (310–240 B.C.): «Catalog of writers who shined in all areas of education and the works that they wrote». Reference and bibliographic literature in art history of Ancient Rus’ was a certain system with a specific set of information. First there were the literary church sources, then – the translation of literary heroes and scenes into painting subjects, and further – the fixation within the text of other interpretations and artistic solutions. Of interest are tractates on art in Ancient Rus’, canons of icon writing in the form of drawings made from icons, or oral, which were called «Originals». A general bibliography was mostly developed in Ancient Rus’ – science had no branch division. Further there was a need for inventories. In the 16th century, the bibliography already took recommendatory forms. Such was the “Index” of Arseny Vysoky, the book keeper of the Spaso-Prilutsky Monastery. The compiler grouped bibliographic recommendations by topic. In the second half of the 17th century, the ideology of the Enlightenment began to play a significant role that led to publishing of special educational and reference manuals of a secular nature: subject, biographical, and terminological dictionaries, catalogues of art collections and exhibitions. In the second half of the century, there was a tendency to compile lists of works of one master. Auction catalogues appeared. The history of supporting bibliography, without which it is difficult to imagine the progress in science, goes back to centuries. At first, when the need arose for it, it was imperfect, only attempts were made to compile it. In future, the representation of its types and information content were expanded. It has finally formed by now, at the same time it is constantly being improved.