Fine and Decorative Arts 

Trying to identify the signature of a major artist? Check the artist's catalogue raisonne. These often provide numerous examples of signatures over the course of their subject artist's lifetime.

To find a catalogue raisonne, simply search Bobcat for the words artist's name and raisonne; for example:

warhol and raisonne

• Bénézit, E. (Emmanuel). Dictionnaire critique et documentaire des peintres, sculpteurs, dessinateurs et graveurs...Paris : Gründ, c1999. Bobst REF1 N40 .B47 1999. This 14-volume reference work includes basic biographical sketches, as well as historical prices for works, museum locations, and signature examples.
• Biography & Genealogy Master Index. This online source indexes the contents of hundreds of biographical dictionaries. A recommended starting point for biographical research on Artists.
• Biography Reference Bank. Offers full-text online access to biographies of artists, designers, architects and other visual arts professionals.
• Biography Resource Center. Extensive coverage of biographical material culled from a wide array of reference titles.
• Contemporary Artists. Chicago/London: St. James Press. (Latest edition only). Bobst REF1 N6490.C6567.

• Caplan, H.H. The Classified Directory of Artists Sginatures, Symbols & monograms with new U.K. Additions. London: Paul Grahame Publishing Co., 1987. Bobst REF1 N45.C36 1987.
• Castagno, John. African, Asian, and Middle Eastern Artists: Signatures and Monograms from 1800: a Directory. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow, 2009. Bobst REF1 N45.C369 2009.
• _____. Artists' Monograms and Indiscernible Signatures: An International Directory, 1800-1991. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow, 1991. Bobst REF1 N45.C374 1991.
• _____. European Artists: Signatures and Monograms, 1800-1990. Bobst REF1 N45.C38 1990.
• _____. Old Masters: Signatures and Monograms, 1400-Born 1800. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow, 1996. Bobst REF1 N45.C39 1996.