REFERENCE BOOKS ON ARTISTS

Dictionary of Artists / Benezit
Saur Allgemeines Kunstlerlexikon
Thieme, U. and F. Becker. Allgemeines Lexikon der Bildenden Kunstler von der Antike

       bis zur Gegenwart
International Dictionary of Art and Artists

The first three titles are large multivolume sets; they are the most comprehensive and scholarly dictionaries of artists. Many obscure artists who are not included in other encyclopedias can be found in them. The International Dictionary of Art and Artists covers far fewer artists; however, its second volume, which contains one-page articles on individual works of art, can help you get a good start researching specific art works.

Dictionary of Women Artists 

This encyclopedia offers substantial articles on women artists from the Middle Ages to the present day.