Master Drawings Search Guide

Master drawings are drawings that exemplify superb draftsmanship by important artists since the Renaissance. Drawings can be created from many different materials such as charcoal, pastel, pen, ink (sepia), pencil, and watercolor. Master drawings are highly appreciated and collected because they show the artist's spontaneity and creative process.

To view, print, or download images of master drawings visit the library's Digital Images Webpage and select LUNA Digital Image Collections. (You do not need to register with LUNA to view, print, or download images).

Select either the Academy of Art University or the Amica Library Collections.

Select "Advanced Search" to search for images by specific search fields.

Use the two-columned tables below to guide your advanced search. Select a search field from the drop-down menu in the "find this exact wording" field and type in a word or an artists' name. For example, select Work Type, begin typing "drawings" in the "find this exact wording" field, and select search.

Sort options tool -

The results of an advanced or keyword search may be sorted. The sort options tool may only be used when one collection is selected at a time.

Up to four fields may be sorted. Use the dropdown menu to select the fields you want to sort and select sort.

Keyword searching -

Wildcard Search Help: The Academy of Art University and Amica Library Collections support wildcard searching, which can be done with an asterisk (*) in the keyword field. Combining the wildcard symbol with a word may broaden a search by including variations of that word. For example, searching for images that illustrate "anatomy" and "anatomical" drawings can be done with the keyword "anatom*".

Public Media Groups -

Media Groups are groups of images that may be created by registered users and viewed publicly by anyone using LUNA. Slide shows and presentations may be created from Media Groups. (Any currently enrolled students and teachers may register with LUNA.)

Browse “Public Media Groups” to view groups of images that show examples of Master Drawings. Make sure that “All Collections” are selected.

Select Explore and then Media Groups

"Hale Anatomy", "Hale Drawing", and the "Master Drawings" Media Groups reflect strong examples of Master Drawings. (Media Groups are alphabetized by title.)