Leigh Gates posted this announcement to ARLISlist and I thought it might be worth sharing – sounds like an interesting resource.
The Art Institute of Chicago has recently announced the preliminary launch of its new online database of objects from its collections. You may examine it from the Collections “home page” where you may browse by collection categories or search for specific objects.
To many, this site will appear to be quite familiar but there are a number of very significant changes:
* There are now 2,565 object records – the web site has increased the old number fourfold.
* For the 1,747 objects where copyright review has been completed, full screen enlargements of the objects’ images may be viewed.
* As before, straightforward searches can be done, but more exacting searches can be conducted using a more fields than before.
* When a record is found for an object on public view, its gallery number is indicated.
* Provenance, Exhibition History, and Publication History are listed when approved by curatorial staff.
This launch is welcome even though the web site is still being analysed for functionality and response time. There will be a few more elements added in the coming days, including some text pages describing the grouping of objects presented online and differentiating this from the entire collection of the Art Institute. There will also be some additional “Searching Tips” added to make the user experience a bit better.