The BHA: a review article

Abstract

On the basis of its first issue, and in spite of some initial shortcomings due to attempts to bridge the gap between this issue and the final issues of the two publications it subsumes (RILA and the RAA), the BHA is to be warmly welcomed. It is handsomely produced, well organised, and economically priced, and it has successfully solved the problem of its use of both English and French. It provides greater and wider coverage than both of its predecessors put together, with more emphasis on the Nordic countries, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, and a scope which embraces “art anywhere in the world that reflects contact with the Western tradition”. It can be expected that many more titles will be indexed than those represented in the first issue. Although selective, the quality and extent of the BHA’s coverage of contemporary art (some 20% of its content) will challenge ABM; although both the BHA and ABM will be essential in libraries with a strong interest in contemporary art, in other art libraries BHA by itself may well suffice.