This work serves as a comprehensive bibliographic record designed to organize and provide access to the vast body of literature concerning the history of art. The Getty Art History Information Program staff compiled this resource to assist researchers, scholars, and librarians in navigating the complex landscape of art historical documentation. By standardizing citations and categorizing entries, the text provides a structured framework for locating primary and secondary sources across diverse artistic movements and time periods.

Scholars and information professionals frequently cite this work as a foundational reference tool for systematic art historical inquiry. The text is recognized for its rigorous organizational standards and its utility in academic library collections.