Online research tools
Trove – Australian research portal by National Library of Australia
Getty Research Institute library catalogue
Library Hub Discover – UK and Irish libraries
Informit – Australian journal citations
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Art-specific
Art Discovery – international art libraries
Getty Research Portal – digitised art history texts
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Australia and New Zealand
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Research tips
If you are trying to find out more about a particular artwork you own, we suggest you:
Look for any signatures or markings on the artwork that might indicate who the artist is. Markings or labels could be located on the back of the canvas or board or on the frame.
Search on Google using the artist’s name, if known, combined with keyword terms such as ‘artist’ or ‘art’, and descriptive terms that describe the work (eg "E P Fox" artist portrait lady chair). When viewing the search results, make sure to look at the ‘Images’ tab too.
Also search the artist’s name in Trove.
Other places to get help
Depending on where you live, you may wish to contact your local public library, state library or state or regional art gallery for help with research enquiries.
If you are looking for a valuer or conservator
The Art Gallery is NOT able to provide appraisals, authentications or valuations of works of art or opinions on their merit, or to give conservation advice to individuals.
You may wish to contact an auction house, such as those listed on the ABC’s Auction Room website or on the Australian and New Zealand Art Sales Digest.
A list of licensed valuers is available on the Australian Government website for the Cultural Gifts Program.
A directory of conservators in private practice is available on the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Materials (AICCM) website.