When artists describe their work, they often use familiar studio language: painting, mixed media, paper, canvas, oil, acrylic, collage, sculpture, print. Those words may seem simple, but in a professional catalog, the language used to describe an artwork affects how that work can be searched, studied, preserved, compared, and understood over time.
The Legacy Catalog uses selected Getty Vocabularies to help artists create clearer and more consistent records. The two most relevant are the Art & Architecture Thesaurus (AAT) and the Union List of Artist Names (ULAN). Artists do not need to understand professional cataloging terminology before using the Legacy Catalog—the platform guides you through the process.
“If you could say it in words, there would be no reason to paint.”
Why vocabulary matters in an artist catalog
If the language in a record is inconsistent, the catalog becomes harder to search, harder to share, and harder to understand over time. Structured vocabulary helps reduce that confusion—creating a more reliable way to describe work type, materials, techniques, and names across an artist’s entire catalog.
This matters not only for the artist, but also for future family members, estate managers, galleries, scholars, collectors, appraisers, museums, and institutions that may one day rely on the artist’s records.
Without structured vocabulary
- “mixed media”
- “collage”
- “paper and acrylic”
Same kind of work, three inconsistent descriptions.
With AAT-standardized terms
- Work type: collage
- Materials: acrylic paint, paper
- Support: canvas
One consistent structure, searchable across the whole catalog.
The two Getty Vocabularies used by the Legacy Catalog
AAT — Art & Architecture Thesaurus
For describing works, materials, techniques, and related concepts.
AAT is a structured vocabulary used across the cultural heritage field. In the Legacy Catalog, it helps standardize how artwork type, materials, technique, and support are recorded—so your catalog is consistent and searchable across your entire body of work.
ULAN — Union List of Artist Names
A future-facing integration for artist identity records.
ULAN is a structured vocabulary for artist names. Because artists may be known by different names across signatures, publications, and records, ULAN helps connect those identities. ALI plans to integrate ULAN support as the Legacy Catalog expands.
Structured vocabulary supplements the artist’s voice—it doesn’t replace it.
An artist’s statement, studio notes, titles, descriptions, and personal records remain essential. Controlled vocabulary adds a consistent cataloging structure alongside that personal material—helping work remain discoverable and understandable across time, platforms, and institutions.
Want to see how this works in practice? Watch “Understanding Getty Vocabulary & Creating Favorites.”
This guide references the Getty Vocabularies developed by the Getty Research Institute, including the Art & Architecture Thesaurus and the Union List of Artist Names. Learn more at Getty Research Institute.