My first go-to sources for pretty much everything are JStor, ArtStor, and WorldCat, then the library. The Bibliography of the History of Art is pretty epic, which is available through the Getty Museum’s website. Some of the snottier people I work with sneer at it, but I find Olga’s Gallery really really helpful for overviews of some artists’ careers, and if you’re into academic art, the Art Renewal Center has its uses.
As for books, what’s useful for one may not be useful for another! My absolute favorite book is my giant monograph on Ingres and probably one of my Pre-Raphaelite books. I have a few decent general theory books, but it’s really a matter of finding the books and authors that work for you (a bit of warning: you will find occasionally that you hate one of the authors who writes about your favorite artists or movements, it’s bloody annoying, and sometimes your favorite authors disagrees with you or writes about artists you can’t stand. SUCK IT UP.)
Now I am going to go paw through my new glorious Aestheticism book like a greedy child at a bowl of Halloween candy. Anyone else have favorite sources or suggestions?
