Primary Sources
A primary source is a firsthand account or original work from the time period being studied. This can include the artwork itself, as well as documents like exhibition catalogs, reviews, letters, and diaries written by or about the artist during their lifetime. For example, a 1904 article about Van Gogh's work would be a primary source because it reflects contemporary opinions, such as the public's view of his art as "obscure enigmas."
You can use research tools like SuperSearch or databases like JSTOR to find primary sources by limiting your search to a specific time period.
Secondary Sources
In art, a secondary source is any document that analyzes, interprets, or critiques an original work or artist, but was created after the time period of the work or movement itself. These sources are not firsthand accounts. They include journal articles, books that offer overviews, and modern analyses of an artwork's cultural or political aspects. For instance, a book written in 2024 about the meaning of a Renaissance painting is a secondary source.
| Type of Source | Definition | Art Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | A firsthand, contemporary account or original work. | An artist's diary, a letter written by a critic in the 1890s about Van Gogh's work, or the artwork itself. |
| Secondary | An analysis or interpretation of a primary course. | A modern art history textbook, a journal article written decades later about an art movement, or a biography of an artist published long after their death |
Iconographic analysis identifies the subject of an artwork, such as a Madonna and Child, but it doesn't explain its deeper meaning or context. To fully understand a piece, you must examine its relationship with the surrounding culture, including social, political, and economic factors.
For instance, consider how the art reflects its social milieu. Was it a response to a specific event, like the bombing of Guernica? Or was it a work of patronage that subtly challenged the power structures of its time? This contextual analysis is most effective when it draws specific connections between the artwork and its historical setting, rather than just making broad generalizations.
As you approach your own analysis, consider your unique perspective—whether it's on gender, economics, colonialism, or religion—and how your interpretations align with or differ from those of art historians.
For art research, exhibition catalogs are a crucial type of primary source. These catalogs are created for specific art shows and serve as a firsthand record of what was on display, often including essays by curators and a list of works. They offer a unique snapshot of the art world at a particular moment in time, providing insight into an artist's career trajectory, how their work was presented, and its initial reception. By searching for "Exhibition catalogs" as a subject in library databases like SuperSearch, you can find a wealth of these historical documents. In contrast, a secondary source would be a book or article written later that analyzes or interprets that same exhibition.