Researching the provenance of a work of art (the origin and history of ownership), is complex and requires the use of a range of resources and tools. A good starting point for understanding the process is Nancy H. Yeide, Konstantin Akinsha & Amy L. Walsh, The AAM Guide to Provenance Research (2001) (Local Academic Libraries, N3999 .Y45), the section on provenance research in Julia Courtney, The Legal Guide for Museum Professionals (2015) (Williams Library, KF4305 .L44 2015), or the International Foundation for Art Research's Provenance Guide. Online resources for conducting provenance research include the Getty Research Institute's Provenance Research Index Databases and IFAR's collection of catalogues raisonnes.
The following are useful resources for locating images and information about particular works of art. Images and information about particular works of art also can be found in a number of the resources listed above and on museum websites, such as the Smithsonian Institution.