Main Collection
The Art Library is a non-circulating research library containing over 190 000 titles of monographs, general works and reference materials, including an important collection of exhibition catalogues and around 190 titles of current periodicals.
The Library also collects audiovisual materials – CDs, videos, DVDs and other non-print media – on Art History, Fine Arts, Design and Architecture.
The Art Library provides internal access to the following bibliographic databases:
- Wilson Art Abstracts
- Artbibliographies Modern
- Portuguese Art on Press
Exhibition Catalogues
Both Portuguese and international art museums and major galleries exhibition catalogues are continuously acquired, representing exhibitions on a broad range of topics from the Antiquity to Contemporary Art. Portuguese exhibition catalogues are collected no matter how small and this has resulted in an extensive and rare collection of exhibition pamphlets, checklists and other ephemera from the end of 19th century up to the present.
Periodicals Collection
The Art Library periodical collection began with the private collection of Calouste Gulbenkian and is an extensive one with nearly 2 000 titles covering a variety of art subjects. Near 190 titles (Portuguese and international) are active subscriptions. The contents page of the art current periodicals acquired since 2001 is available through the online catalogue which includes bibliographic records of articles of around 50 titles. The article search may be more comprehensive if combined with accessing Wilson Art Abstracts.