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Sculpture 1: Exploring the Library

Floor van de Velde's Sculpture 1

This guide will help you find inspiration and information about contemporary artists working in sculpture and other three-dimensional media. 

Searching and Browsing in Print

Books

Search the FLO Library Catalog to find print and electronic books. For titles owned by the SMFA Library, select our location in the right-hand "Filter Your Search" box on the results page.



 

Browse these call number ranges and headings on the SMFA Library shelves

N6494.E27 Earthworks NB1202 – 1271 Sculpture by material 
N8700 – 8846 Public art NB1930 Figure sculpture
NB60 – 198 History of sculpture NK3710 – 4670 Ceramics
NB198 – 198.7 20th and 21st century sculpture     NK5100 – 5198 Glass
NB205 – 1080 Sculpture by country/region NK6400 – 6704 Metalwork
NB1170 – 1180 Sculpture technique TT180 – 199 Woodworking

 

Browse these subject headings to see all consortium holdings related to sculpture and three-dimensional art

Altered books Masonry Sculpture - technique
Art metal-work Metal sculpture Soft sculpture
Assemblage (art) Monuments Sound sculpture
Bronze sculpture Outdoor sculpture Statues
Carpentry Plastic sculpture Stone carving
Ceramic sculpture Plaster sculpture Wood-carving
Found objects (art) Public art Wood sculpture
Installations (Art) Public sculpture Woodworking
Marble sculpture Sculpture  

 

Print Periodicals

Magazines are a great source of contemporary art images, and the SMFA Library subscribes to many related to sculpture and three-dimensional art. The newest magazine issues must be read in-Library, and back issues may be checked out for 24 hours

American Craft Fine Woodworking
ArtAsiaPacific Frieze
Artforum Glass
Art in America Make
Bomb Metalsmith
Ceramics Sculpture
Crafts  

 

Searching and Browsing Online

Artsy

The website Artsy is a fantastic source of images of and information about contemporary art. Try searching and exploring these topics:

  • Sculpture
  • Metal
  • Ceramic
  • Wood

 

Artstor

The SMFA Library provides access to Artstor (linked below), a great resource for art images. Using the advanced search feature, you can:

  • limit by the classification "Sculpture and Installations" 
  • specify the date range 2000-2016

Please note that to use this resource outside the Library, you must set up an account on a Library computer.

Publicly Available Image Collections

In addition to Artsy, there are a growing number of freely available digitized collections from museums, universities, historical archives, and other cultural heritage institutions. Use our Publicly Available Image Collections guide to start exploring.

 

Google Advanced Image Search

Google Advanced Image Search is a great way to harness the power of the regular Google Image Search toward delivering quality, trustworthy results. Some tips:

  • In the "image size" menu, select a larger option to help ensure image quality.
  • In the "site or domain" field, enter .edu and/or .org. This will limit your search to sites (from museums, universities, etc.) that are more likely to include complete and accurate information with image files.
  • Try filtering your search by "usage rights." In most cases, using images for scholarly work (papers, presentations) is protected by Fair Use, but incorporating images into the output of your artistic practice is a thornier issue. Knowing the licensing information for images you use is a smart way to work.

Other SMFA Library Subject Guides

You can further explore resources, in the SMFA LIbrary and beyond, on the following subjects:

And there are more! Go here for a complete list of our Research Guides.

Contact us!

Please feel free to get in touch with a librarian at any stage of your research process. 

For quick questions

  • Stop by the Library
  • email: library@smfa.edu
  • call us: 617-369-3650

For in-depth questions

  • Make an appointment for a research consultation 
  • Contact Ashley Peterson (apeterson@smfa.edu, 617-369-3653)
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