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The art book: the idea and the reality

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 June 2016

Elizabeth Esteve-Coll
Elizabeth Esteve-Coll*
Affiliation:
The Victoria & Albert Museum, London
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Abstract

Concurrently with developments in art history which have challenged the simple notion of “the art book” as artist’s monograph, the library profession has been obliged to look beyond both the traditional book format and related methodologies. Art librarians have led the way in adopting new technology, not for its own sake but in response to the nature of art information and the needs of their clients; they are aware that “there is no such thing” as “the art book”, and that in reality this term embraces a plurality of formats among which the codex book continues to flourish not only as a vehicle of information but also, for example, as a medium exploited by artists. In all its manifestations, but not least in those which are novel, innovative, and unfamiliar, art information challenges art librarians to adopt a dynamic and proactive role in making it available and promoting and facilitating its use.

Type
Research Article
Information
Art Libraries Journal , Volume 17 , Issue 3 , 1992 , pp. 4 - 6
Copyright
Copyright © The Art Libraries Society 1992

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References

1. Day, Sara, ‘Art history’s new warrior breed’. Art International no. 6 Spring 1989, p.78–79.Google Scholar
2. Italian ‘bank’ books are discussed by Carla Bianchi in her contribution to this issue of Art Libraries Journal.Google Scholar