Research Tools
Whether you're just curious about American art or are researching something specific, we hope you'll find the following resources helpful.
Online Catalogs
The Smithsonian American Art Museum maintains a number of specialized art research databases.
- Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database
- Photograph Archives database
- Pre-1877 Art Exhibition Catalogue Index database
- Smithsonian Institution Library database
Ask Joan of Art ®
Do you have a question about American art and don't know how to find the answer? Art Information specialists at the Smithsonian American Art Museum can help.
Researching Your Art
Want to learn more about the painting you found while clearing out the attic? What about the drawing that has been hanging in grandma's hallway since you were a kid? Maybe the sculpture you found at a flea market last summer really is a Remington? How can you find out? Researching Your Artoffers suggestions for investigating artworks in your collection.
