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Art (Contemporary)

resources for studying contemporary visual arts

Browser's Guide to the Visual Arts

Browsing can be a fine way to get a sense of how much is available, to make interesting discoveries, and simply to relax.  However, it is usually not a very effective way to find a specific book, article, or picture. 

Please always ask at a library reference desk or use the online Ask-A-Librarian service if you need help locating what you need.

As with most American libraries, Penn State organizes books and bound volumes of magazines by the Library of Congress Classification System. The medium is an important part of the organization.  Unfortunately, this means that books on a versatile artist might be in many different places: under painting, drawing, prints, etc.

The table below contain locations within Pattee Library at the University Park campus, but the call numbering and categories are also useful at any Penn State library location.  There are also exceptions to the UP locations, so again, ASK if you can not find what you need

Browser's Guide to the Visual Arts (details)

The Visual Arts in More Than One Medium
Topic Classification Numbers General Location at University Park
General Art Magazines N1-25 3rd Floor West Pattee
Art Education N81-390 3rd Floor West Pattee
Visual Arts By Historical Periods N5300-7418 3rd Floor West Pattee
Art Museums N390-5290 3rd Floor West Pattee
Art History by Periods N5300-6349 3rd Floor West Pattee
Modern (19th & 20th-century) Art N6350-6499 3rd Floor West Pattee
Art & Artists by Countries (U.S. = 6505-6538) N6500-7407 3rd Floor West Pattee
Subjects and Symbols or Art N7560-8300 3rd Floor West Pattee
Art Business, Collecting, Patronage N8350-9095 3rd Floor West Pattee

 

Architecture
Topic Classification Numbers General Location at University Park
Architecture NA1-9500 Pattee Stacks Level 1A, 2 & Architecture Library

 

Sculpture
Topic Classification Numbers General Location at University Park
General Sculpture Magazines & Collections NB1-59 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Sculpture by Historical Periods NB60-199 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Sculpture & Sculptures by Countries (US=200-250) NB200-615 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Sculpture by Material NB1202-1271 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Forms & Subjects of Sculptures NB1272-1953 Pattee Stacks Level 2

 

Drawing, Illustration, & Design (Graphic Arts)
Topic Classification Numbers General Location at University Park
Graphic Arts Magazines & Collections NC1-45 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Graphic Arts by Historical Periods NC50-99 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Graphic Arts & Artists by Countries (US=103-140) NC101-377 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Graphic Arts by Subjects or Form NC760-825 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Graphic Arts by Materials & Techniques NC845-950 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Illustration NC953-996 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Advertising Art (many graphic design maps) NC997-1284 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Master Drawings NC1005-1260 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Caricature, Comics, & Animation NC1280-1800 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Posters, etc. NC1801-1860 Pattee Stacks Level 2

 

Painting
Topic Classification Numbers General Location at University Park
Painting by Historical Periods ND49-196 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Painting & Painters by Countries (US=203-239) ND201-1113 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Painting Appreciation, Instruction, & Technique ND1115-1263 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Figural and Portrait Painting ND1288-1338 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Landscape Painting ND1340-1369 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Still Life Painting ND1390-1399 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Other Subjects of Painting ND1390-1469 Pattee Stacks Level 2

 

Prints
Topic Classification Numbers General Location at University Park
General Print Magazines & Collections NE1-265 Pattee Stacks Level 2
History of Printmaking NE400-499 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Prints & Printmakers by Countries (US=503-540) NE500-795 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Special Subjects of Prints NE800-966 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Prints by Techniques NE1000-3003 Pattee Stacks Level 2

 

Decorative and Applied Arts
Topic Classification Numbers General Location at University Park
General Decorative Arts Magazines and Collections NK1-599 Pattee Stacks Level 2
History of the Decorative Arts NK600-1499 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Design Theory NK1500-1520 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Design Motifs, Elements, & Subjects NK1530-1699 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Interior Decoration and Furnishings NK1700-3497 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Ceramics NK3700-4698 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Glass, Gems, & Ivory NK5100-5999 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Metalwork NK6400-8460 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Textiles NK8800-9506 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Wood NK9600-9956 Pattee Stacks Level 2

 

The Visual Arts in Relation to Other Fields
Topic Classification Numbers General Location at University Park
General Arts Magazines, etc. NX1-129 Pattee Stacks Level 2
The Arts by Related Subjects (Psychology, etc.) NX165-280 Pattee Stacks Level 2
The Arts in Education NX280-411 Pattee Stacks Level 2
History of the Arts by Periods, Places, & Movements NX440-499 Pattee Stacks Level 2
The Arts by Counties NX500-599 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Subjects of the Arts (Death, etc.) NX600-699 Pattee Stacks Level 2
Patronage and Management of the Arts NX700-820 Pattee Stacks Level 2

 

Some Graphic Novels and Comics
Topic Classification Numbers General Location at University Park
Some Graphic Novels and Comics PN6720-6790 Pattee Stacks Level 2A

 

Photography
Topic Classification Numbers General Location at University Park
General Photography Magazines & Collections TR1-12 3rd Floor West Pattee
History of Photography & Photographers TR15-145 3rd Floor West Pattee
Technology and Techniques of Photography TR146-623 3rd Floor West Pattee
Artistic Photography & Photographers TR624-688 3rd Floor West Pattee
Commercial & Scientific Photography TR690-819 3rd Floor West Pattee
Photojournalism TR820-821 3rd Floor West Pattee
Cinematography & Video Production TR845-1050 3rd Floor West Pattee

 

Handicrafts
Topic Classification Numbers General Location at University Park
Handicrafts TT1-985 3rd Floor West Pattee

 

(Similar to the categories under Decorative Arts but with a hobby or commercial orientation.)

Typography
Topic Classification Numbers General Location at University Park
Typography Z246-260 Pattee Stacks Level 3