The Clark houses one of the most distinguished art research libraries in the country, with over 300,000 volumes in more than 130 languages. From its opening in 1962 the library has grown and changed over the years to accommodate teaching spaces, visual resources, new programs and initiatives, and a never-ending array of new technologies (in addition, of course, to its growing collection of books), always striving to meet the needs of our valued students, scholars, staff, researchers, and visitors.
The library’s special collections enhance both library and museum holdings. Highlights include the founding collection of Robert Sterling Clark's rare books, the history of photomechanical reproduction, early illustrated printed books, decorative arts and sample books, twentieth- and twenty-first century artists’ books, and archival collections.
special collections book of the month
Julius S. Held Collection
While many late-Renaissance hygienists advocated only moderate exercise, especially for women, there were authors who believed in the benefits of a more vigorous approach. The most famous of this group was Hieronymus Mercurialis (1530-1606), who included exercise advice for both men and women in his influential De Arte Gymnastica Aput Ancientes (Art of Gymnastics Among the Ancients). Mercurialis’ heavily illustrated work first appeared in 1569 in Venice, Italy with subsequent editions in 1573, 1587, 1600, 1614 and 1672.
De Arte Gymnastica relied heavily on the Hippocratic definition of health as an equilibrium among the body’s humours. Among the exercises Mercurialis advocated as most important to health preservation are walking, throwing the discus, rope climbing and ball playing. He recommended “calcio,” an early form of soccer, as well as exercises using light balls filled with feathers and heavy balls filled with sand. Mercurialis’ view of exercise was primarily a functional one; the concept of sport for the sake of pleasure or athletic competition was not an issue. The importance of gymnastics lay solely in its healthful, medicinal aspects. As we see in this image, healthy eating and drinking also appears to be part of his recommended program, for men and women alike.
FOLLOW THE LIBRARY
Serving the general public as well as visiting scholars and local students and faculty, the Clark library welcomes all visitors to use its reference and research services and to enjoy its collections. An extensive array of electronic resources and reference materials support scholarly research in the field of Art History. Library staff are dedicated to assisting all users to access the library’s wide-ranging and diverse collections.
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New Acquisitions Book of the Week
The fact that 85% of the world’s photojournalists are men means that an overwhelming percentage of our visual historical record has been seen through men’s eyes. How “true” is the reported news when the diversity of those behind the lens is limited? What We See presents the work of 100 women and nonbinary visual storytellers from around the world, offering a more balanced, representative reporting that comes closer to mirroring our global society.
From documenting major events such as 9/11 to capturing serially misrepresented communities, What We See presents a revisionist contemporary history: over 50 years of history in 100 photographs. Each image is accompanied by commentary from the photographer about the experience and the subject, offering fresh insights and a much-needed perspective. To get the full picture, we need a diverse set of people behind the lens. This book offers a first step.
LIBRARY HOURS
PUBLIC HOURS
The library is open without appointment. Hours are:
Monday - Friday, 9 am to 5 pm
All are welcome to email the library with reference/research questions.
HOLIDAYS
The library is closed to the public on the following holidays:
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Presidents' Day
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Indigenous Peoples Day
Thanksgiving (2 days)
Christmas (2 days)
EXTENDED HOURS
Extended hours are available to holders of a Clark badge or a Reader's Card. Reader's cards are given by application. Cards may not be appropriate for all applicants but we will always do our best to meet your research needs.
Mon-Thurs 8 am to 11 pm
Friday 8 am to 6 pm
Saturday 9 am to 6 pm
Sunday 9 am to 11 pm
HOLIDAYS
With the exception of Christmas Day and New Year's Day the library is open during holidays to anyone eligible for extended hours.