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Art History

We have art so that we do not perish from truth -- Nietzsche

Articles in NUSearch

NUsearch, the libraries' discovery system, which includes the library catalog, also has thousands of article citations.  In a simple search of the "catalog" you will discover many articles containing your keywords. 

To exclude articles from your search, change the NUsearch box to "Books & Multimedia."

To see only articles, change the Nusearch box to "Articles."

Art Databases

The library maintains subscriptions to 72 art and architecture-related databases. In addition to providing access to many of our electronic journal subscriptions, databases can draw from multiple reference points. As a result, some databases present a wide breadth of information collected from varying sources, while others are more tightly focused on a given topic.

  • From the library homepage
    • Select Find, Borrow Request, then Databases A-Z
    • In the All Subjects drop-down, select Art & Architecture

Popular art & architecture databases include:

The full list of art and architecture databases can be found here.

Online Art Journals

The library has access to a large number of electronic journals in art, design, architecture and related fields. Specific titles can be found in two ways:

  • Searching for the journal title in NUSearch on the library homepage
  • Enter the journal title or ISSN in the search box
  • In the search results, look for your title and "Online Access"
  • Advanced search options allow you to search specifically for Journal Titles, and to limit your search results according to different parameters such as language or date.
  • We have access to many journals through our full text databases, rather than by direct subscription.  Search in Art and Architecture Source and JSTOR for access to some of the best access to art journal literature online.

It's important to note that online coverage is not always complete. Several factors, especially licensing agreements and publication status, will determine how much of a title is electronically available, and that information will be noted in the search reults. If you require specific issues or articles that are not available through Northwestern, you can submit your request through Inter-Library Loan, which will then attempt to locate the information from another library. See Other Resources for more information on ILL.

Print Art Journals

The Art Library subscribes to over 75 domestic and international art & architecture journals which are available only in print format. Topics include art history, art criticism, art theory and practice, and the contemporary art world. Current issues are found in Periodicals on the first floor of the University Library, and bound volumes of back issues are in the art and architecture reading rooms.  the Art Library also has extensive holdings of historical journals in both art and architecture, extending to the mid-19th century.