In order to do a successful search for your topic, you need to understand the basics. Think about the "who, what, why, when, and where" aspects of your topic.
For example, if you are researching Zaha Hadid, but have no idea who she is, where she's from, or what designs she is known for, then gathering background will be helpful to develop good search keywords, and to develop a refined research question. After gathering background, you can ask a question like "How did Zaha Hadid use technology to create designs influenced by her Arab heritage?"
Use resources such as Oxford Art Online and SAH Archipedia to find background information.
Encyclopedias & Dictionaries
Encyclopedia articles about artists, architects, and artistic movements & periods, as well as bibliographies for further research. Also includes thousands of searchable images.
Provides access to Oxford’s art reference works, including the Grove Art Online, the Benezit Dictionary of Artists, the Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms, the Encyclopedia of Aesthetics, and the Oxford Companion to Western Art.
Contains biographical information on more than one million artists. Each article contains information on the artist's creative work, historical significance, details of exhibitions, and bibliographies.
Timelines and Overviews
Bibliographies
Provides access to articles, research guides, and annotations in the field of art history.