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Art

Subject Guide for Art & Art History.

Dictionaries

Key Subject Terms

Key terms

  • Most common:
    • Name of the figure + art (for example, David, King of Israel -- Art)
    • Noun (an object, concept, or collective noun) + in art (for example, Devil in art)
  • Other options:
    • symbolism
    • themes
    • motives
    • image
    • attributes
  • Note that neither iconography nor iconology is used in Library of Congress subject headings!

A Sample of Library of Congress Subject Headings Covering Iconography


Animals in art
 Art and mythology
Art, Medieval --Themes, motives
 Buddhist art and symbolism
Christian art and symbolism
 Christian saints in art
Grotesque in art
 Image (Theology)
Jesus Christ -- Passion -- Art
 Jewish art and symbolism
Jews in art
 John, the Apostle, Saint--Art
Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint -- Annunciation--Art
 Monsters in art
Painting -- Themes, motives
 Patriotism in art
Signs and symbols in art
 Symbolism in architecture
Symbolism in art -- Greece
 Symbolism in art -- United States
Symbolism of colors
 Vices in art

 

Bibliography of the History of Art (BHA) search terms

This resource has its own set of subject headings that differ considerably from those used by the Library of Congress. Here are the most common:

  • Iconography (not "art" or "in art" as for the Library of Congress)