Art Reference Research Articles

The Photograph Archive of the Art Reference Library

The Photograph Archive of the Art Reference Library

Guide to Art Reference Books

Guide to Art Reference Books

The Frick Art Reference Library

The Frick Art Reference Library was founded in November 1920 and opened to the art world in June 1924. Miss Helen Clay Frick, whose father had left his distinguished collection of pictures and art objects for the free use of the public, foresaw the need of a great research center for art historians, to complement her father's collection. Inspired by a visit to Sir Robert Witt's library of reproductions in London she began to assemble the photographs of Western European and American painting, drawing and sculpture and books related to the same field which now form this extensive repository of art information. In 1951 alone more than 7,000 scholars, artists, collectors, dealers and students from many countries have taken advantage of its facilities.

The Frick Art Reference Library

The Frick Art Reference Library was founded in November 1920 and opened to the art world in June 1924. Miss Helen Clay Frick, whose father had left his distinguished collection of pictures and art objects for the free use of the public, foresaw the need of a great research center for art historians, to complement her father's collection. Inspired by a visit to Sir Robert Witt's library of reproductions in London she began to assemble the photographs of Western European and American painting, drawing and sculpture and books related to the same field which now form this extensive repository of art information. In 1951 alone more than 7,000 scholars, artists, collectors, dealers and students from many countries have taken advantage of its facilities.

The Protection of Artistic Monuments in Europe

Of paramount interest to art historians and archaeologists was the appointment in August, 1943, at the suggestion of the President, of the American Commission for the Protection and Salvage of Artistic and Historic Monuments in Europe, under the auspices of the State Department. The problem created by war in this particular field had already been widely recognized. In January, 1943, the American Council of Learned Societies provided for the formation of a Committee on Protection of Cultural Treasures in War Areas. Its first full meeting was held in June, 1943, and active work began early in July. During the spring of 1943, a subcommittee of the American Defense-Harvard Group was already functioning in the preparation for Army use of lists of monuments and cultural repositories in the war areas. Several national and civic institutions are actively collaborating in the endeavor; these include the Library of Congress, the National Archives, the Smithsonian Institution, the Frick Art Reference Library and the...

The Music Division as a Factor in Adult Education (Condensed)

Two years ago I gave a talk at the A. L. A. Art Reference Round Table, on the work of a music librarian. I am not now engaged in this work but am a Reader's Adviser and field worker at the Cleveland Public Library. My field work and outside contact work has, however, given me much more in the way of experience and of ideas to be developed in a music division than I should have gained as a music librarian4 The most important thing I have learned from my contacts with individuals and groups is that music libraries have many opportunities of contributing to adult education; the music libraries are least aware of this fact. The library as a factor in adult education has many advantages over the school since it can provide an excellent type of informal education for men and women who would not ordinarily attend organized classes. The work of the Readers' Adviser and of the Adult Education Field Worker are recent library developments. There are many medium and small sized libraries that do not have such service; they may be doing as good work, nevertheless. The Music Division too often exists for the chosen few who have had the privilege of music lessons and a background of concerts and opera. The much greater percentage of individuals who have had little contact with music and no formal musical instruction can be served by the Music Division through carefully planned programs and effective publicity. Because music is a recent addition, musicians have not learned to depend on the library for their needs as have general readers; hence fewer readers, lower circulation, and smaller

Art Reference Libraries and Medicine

Art Reference Libraries and Medicine